THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL  AND 
THE  VICEROY 


INEZ 


The  Lieutenant 
The  Girl  and 
The  Viceroy 


The  Story  of 
the  Adventurers  of 
these  Three  with 
II  Liberator  in 
South  America 


By 

MARSHALL 

PUTNAM 

THOMPSON 


THE 

C.  M.   CLARK 

PUBLISHING   CO., 

BOSTON, 

1907 


Copyright,   1906. 
THE  C.  M.  CLARK.  PUBLISHING  CO., 

Boston,  Mass. 


Entered  at 
Stationer's  Hall,  London. 

Dramatic  and  all  other 
RIGHTS  RESERVED. 


2133134 


CONTENTS. 


PART  I. 

How  AN  ARMY  HIDING  IN  THE  GRASS  NEEDED  AND  FOUND 

A  SPY. 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

I.  "  By  Way  of  Introduction." 11 

II.  Tom  Clayton  Meets  a  Girl  of  the  Country 31 

III.  How  the  Spanish  Treated  a  Non-Combatant,  an 

Envoy 41 

IV.  A  Poor  Creole  Girl  Meets  a  Poor  Soldier  Hiding  in 

the  Grass 54 

V.  How  the  Poor  Creole  Girl  Roused  a  Mutiny 58 

VI.  A  Speech  that  Made  an  Ally 67 


PART  II. 

How  THEY  BROKE  AND  MADE  BETROTHALS  AND  How  A 
PRISONER  WON  A  REPRIEVE. 

I.  A  Beggar  from  the  Mountains ...  77 

II.  How  a  Betrothal  Was  Broken 83 

III.  Colonel  Gomez  Blunders 88 

IV.  Seftorita  Maria  Bargains  for  a  List 96 

V.  It  Becomes  Necessary  for  Seftorita  Inez  to  Look 

Through  a  Lattice 101 

VI.  Old  Uncle  Tom  of  Louisville 108 

5 


6  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  PAGE 

VII.  Tom  Clayton  Learns  a  Thing  or  Two  About  Spanish 

Sweethearting 116 

VIII.  The  Vice  Roy  Condemns  Judas  in  Council 119 

IX.  How  Some  Prisoners  Were    Given  a  Chance  of 

Mercy 127 

X.  How  Valdez  Obtained  Mercy , 135 


PART  III. 
How  THE  VICE  ROY  ENTERTAINED. 

I.  Thunder  in  the  Andes 143 

II.  Maria  Becomes  Observing 148 

III.  How  They  Searched  for  the  Dance  Order  of  the  Vice 

Roy's  Ward 155 

IV.  How  a  Song  was  Sung  for  a  Prisoner's  Supper 160 

PART  IV. 
How  THEY  CONDUCTED  A  TRIAL. 

I.  The  Night  Before 175 

II.  Judge  Clayton  Consults  with  Francisco 189 

III.  "  Come  in  to  Court." 195 

IV.  The  Arguments 225 

V.  How  They  Escorted  Senorita  Inez  to  the  Residence. 

VI.  The  Vice  Roy's  Idea 238 

VII.  How  Francisco  came  to  Overhear   what  Certain 

Persons  said  among  Themselves 246 

VIII.  How  the  Spoken  Word  Laughs  at  Locksmiths  and 

Sentinels 256 

IX.  The  Conclusion 264 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

Frontispiece Inez 

Page 

"He  was  surprised  to  see  the  guard  of  the 
morning  escorting  a  young  girl  toward  him."  33 

"  Back,"  cried  the  American,  "  Back,  you  curs, 
or  I  fire." 64 

"Eh,  the  cold  northener!  oh,  the   impassive 
Yankee!" 89 

"  Catch  him  !"     "  Cut  him  down  !"     "  Shoot !" 

came  the  cries.    ......  136 

"  A  hundred,  said  an  officer."         .         .         .  158 

"  Eh,  Jesu !  I  am  in  the  shadow  of  death,  I 
would  know  who  I  am."       ....  185 

"  You  may  argue,"  said  Robeldo  to  Romero.    .  225 

"Maria,  exasperated  beyond  endurance,  took 
him  by  the  hair  and  shook  him."  .         .  251 

"  The  Castles  and  the  Lions  have  had  their  day ; 
it  is  time  for  the  seven  stars  ! "    .        .         .          271 


A  los  Espaiioles  nos  gusta  charlar. 


"  Eh— Senor,  write  the  story  as  you  will ;  it 
involved  two  of  your  countrymen  who  came 
down  here  and  may  interest  you.  It  was 
when  the  Castles  and  the  Lions  of  Spain 
were  carved  over  the  entrance  there,  see — 
you  can  still  dimly  see  them,  though  now 
the  seven  stars  of  the  Republic  have  been 
chiseled  in  their  place." 


PART  I. 

HOW  AN  ARMY  HIDING  IN  THE  GRASS 
NEEDED  AND   FOUND  A  SPY. 


THE    LIEUTENANT,  THE    GIRL 
AND  THE  VICEROY. 


CHAPTER   1. 

"BY   WAY  OF   INTRODUCTION." 

MONSIEUR  Du  PLESSIS,  Colonel  in  the  Foreign 
Legion  of  "  II  Liberator,"  was  standing  in  mud 
and  water  up  to  his  neck,  but  his  white  mustache 
still  bristled  and  a  look  of  contentment  shone 
upon  his  features,  as  he  looked  with  delight  at  a 
frog  wriggling  and  kicking  in  his  hand.  "  I 
should  think  you  had  captured  a  Spaniard,"  said 
a  voice  in  English.  Monsieur  Du  Plessis  raised 
his  eyes — a  tall,  lithe  figure  of  a  young  man  was 
standing  on  the  edge  of  the  mud-hole. 

"  Yoila!  I  have — see  his  green  uniform!  "  said 
he,  "  But  why  do  I  talk  of  frogs !  Monsieur 


12    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

Clayton,  you  have  escaped.  I  would  embrace  you 
were  it  not  for  the  mud,  or  for  this  one,"  he  held 
up  the  frog.  "  Will  you  not  eat  him  and  his 
brother  and  his  cousins  and  his  friends — see, 
they  are  all  about  us ! "  He  pointed  about  the 
mud-hole  at  numerous  other  frogs. 

Clayton  shook  his  head,  laughing.  "  Come 
with  me  to  the  village  yonder,"  he  said,  pointing 
down  the  half-defined  path  that  led  through  the 
pampas  grass,  to  where  could  be  seen  some  clus- 
tering huts  and  a  stockade — "and  get  a  decent 
meal." 

"  Mon  Dieu — Monsieur — and  have  my  neck 
stretched  by  the  Spanish  Commandant?  Never! 
I  prefer  my  neck  unstretched  and  Monsieur 
Crapaud  slipping  down  him." 

"  Well,"  said  Clayton,  "  I  am  a  neutral  and 
hungry — I  am  going  to  present  my  credentials 
and  ask  for  a  dinner." 

"  You  had  much  better  not,  Monsieur,  believe 
me! " 

"  Come  with  me!  I  hear  they  offer  amnesty  to 
those  of  the  foreign  legion  who  come  in ! "  con- 
tinued Clayton. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  13 

"  Bah !  No !  I  prefer  the  frogs — and  then  I 
have  a  mission  from  the  General,"  said  Du  Pies- 
sis. 

"What?    After  tl>e  defeat,  the  rout?" 

"  Sapristi !  That  was  an  incident — we  have 
our  orders — we  are  to  meet  again  at  a  place  desig- 
nated beforehand  and  renew  the  war ! " 

"  Nonsense ! " 

"  Perhaps,  Monsieur,  but  the  General  is  a  man 
— meanwhile,  by  his  orders,  I  await — a  lady." 

"A  lady!     Here  in  this  swamp?" 

"  She  will  pass  the  swamp  by  that  path !  " 

"  And  you  are  to  talk  with  her?  " 

"  Never !  She  is  not  to  see  me — I  am  simply 
to  see  her." 

"Why?" 

"  What — can  I  tell?  It  is  the  General's  orders. 
She  may  be  his  mistress,  or  his  wife,  or  his  daugh- 
ter, or  his  maid-servant — I  do  not  know ! " 

"  But " 

"  Ah — Monsieur,  I  simply  obey  orders — I  wait, 
I  see  her — afterward  I  am  to  tell  '  II  Liberator ' 
I  have  seen  her.  Meanwhile  I  catch  frogs  for 


14    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

the  benefit  of  my  private  department  of  the  Com- 
missary." 

"  Well,"  said  Clayton,  "  I  am  going  to  the 
village." 

"  Farewell,  Monsieur — I  foresee  that  I  shall 
soon  have  to  compose  for  you  an  epitaph." 

The  American  laughed  and  walked  away  to- 
ward the  village. 

The  period  of  history  in  which  Du  Plessis  was 
catching  frogs  and  Clayton  talking  to  him  was 
during  the  years  that  followed  the  first  election 
of  President  Monroe,  when  public  interest  in  the 
United  States  was  very  generally  directed  to  the 
struggles  of  the  Spanish  American  Colonies  for 
independence. 

The  place  was  in  the  Vice  Royalty,  whose  capi- 
tal is  known  as  the  City  of  the  Hills. 

Like  hundreds  of  other  young  Americans  and 
particularly  young  Southerners,  Tom  Clayton 
had  followed  the  varying  fortunes  of  the  war 
with  an  interest  and  sympathy  that  is  now  but 
little  realized.  When,  in  1811,  the  volunteers 
had  gathered  and  drilled  on  the  green  in  anticipa- 
tion of  the  British,  he  had  heard  the  officers 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  15 

drink,  after  the  toasts  to  the  President,  to  Ken- 
tucky and  the  "  bright  eyes  of  the  ladies,  God 
bless  'em,"  a  toast  to  "  the  independency  of  the 
Western  Hemisphere,"  and  had  heard  of  the 
success  of  the  first  South  American  revolts  in 
1809,  nominally  in  favor  of  the  Bourbons,  who 
had  been  driven  from  Spain  by  the  French. 

In  1815,  after  New  Orleans,  the  veterans 
would  sigh  and  say  it  was  a  pity  that  the  Bour- 
bons were  restored  and  South  America  about  to 
return  to  its  allegiance,  "  For  if  they  hadn't,  suh, 
ah  mahself  would  have  raised  a  regiment  of  seven 
hundred  Kentuckians  and  gone  to  their  assist- 
ance." Then  there  would  be  talk  of  the  "  in- 
trepidity of  Americans  "  and  of  what  could  be 
expected  of  "  those  wrho  were  freemen  born,  suh — 
damn  that  fool  slave  nigger — why  don't  he  bring 
the  whisky?  " 

In  1817,  Tom  was  a  lieutenant  in  the  army 
and  had  joined  General  Jackson's  thousand  mili- 
tiamen and  marched  against  the  Greeks  and 
Seminoles  and  had  followed  his  headstrong 
leader  into  the  Spanish  dominions  in  Florida  and 


16    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

assisted  in  packing  the  Governor  of  Pensacola 
and  his  garrison  off  to  Havana. 

He  had  had  high  words  with  the  Governor  in 
carrying  out  his  General's  orders,  and  the 
haughty  Spaniard  had  left,  vowing  vengeance  to- 
ward the  whole  American  nation  in  general  and 
toward  Lieutenant  Thomas  Clayton  in  particu- 
lar. 

On  account  of  this  little  adventure  at  Pensa- 
cola, the  Spanish  government  made  strong  rep- 
resentations at  Washington,  and  it  looked,  for 
a  time,  as  though  war  with  Spain  could  not  be 
avoided,  unless  the  administration  would  apolo- 
gize and  punish  General  Jackson  and  his  aide- 
de-camp,  Lieutenant  Clayton.  The  hero  of  New 
Orleans  was  too  powerful  to  touch  and  the  uncle 
of  Lieutenant  Clayton  was  Congressman  Thomas 
Clayton,  whose  influence  in  the  South  was  needed 
by  Monroe  in  other  matters,  wherefore  the  ad- 
ministration was  in  a  quandary. 

Just  at  this  time  came  news  that  the  restored 
Spanish  monarchy,  having  attempted  to  carry 
on  its  old  system  of  oppression  in  South  America, 
had  again  been  faced  with  revolt.  Our  nation 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  17 

was  already  excited  against  Spain  on  account  of 
the  affair  at  Pensacola — it  was  feeling  its  vigor, 
was  flushed  with  its  success,  only  five  years  away, 
at  New  Orleans,  and  gallant  and  perhaps  unwise 
spirits,  here  and  there,  were  eager  to  take  a  hand 
in  the  southern  conflict,  seeing  in  it  a  repeti- 
tion of  our  own  struggle  against  England. 

In  Congress  and  out,  the  clamor  rose  for  the 
recognition  of  the  new  nations  of  the  South, 
while  in  Kentucky,  Henry  Clay,  the  idol  of  the 
state,  declared  for  a  policy  of  active  intervention, 
while  every  schoolboy  was  ready  to  declaim  his 
famous  speech  in  Congress,  beginning,  "  Three 
centuries  ago,  Spain  erected  on  this  continent, 
on  the  wreck  of  the  thrones  of  the  Incas  and  the 
Montezumas,  the  most  stupendous  system  of  des- 
potism the  world  has  ever  seen." 

Meanwhile  the  administration  was  having  a 
great  deal  of  trouble  on  account  of  Lieutenant 
Thomas  Clayton's  freedom  of  speech  at  Pensa- 
cola. President  Monroe  did  not  want  war.  His 
interest  was  all  turned  toward  internal  improve- 
ments,— questions  in  regard  to  the  admission  of 
Maine,  Mississippi,  Alabama  and  Missouri  were 


i8    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

pressing  for  solution.  Neither  did  the  adminis- 
tration desire  to  alienate  the  support  of  the 
powerful  faction  of  Henry  Clay,  who  would  have 
made  an  issue  at  once  of  Tom's  punishment  at 
the  request  of  Spain. 

Meanwhile,  Tom  was  kept  waiting  in  Washing- 
ton and  there,  one  night,  met  with  Colonel  Du- 
Plessis,  late  an  officer  of  Napoleon  and  now  a 
refugee.  Du  Plessis  told  him  that  the  greatest 
man  in  the  world,  after  Napoleon,  was  one  he 
called,  "  II  Liberator,"  a  leader  of  the  South 
American  revolt.  Du  Plessis  had  served  under 
him  and  would  serve  again, — and  then  spoke  of 
the  luxury  and  magnificence  that  still  clung  to 
the  Vice  Regal  courts  of  the  South,  of  the  wealth 
of  the  great  Creole  magnates,  of  the  cruelty,  ty- 
ranny and  oppression  of  the  government  and  of 
the  romantic  and  daring  adventures  of  San  Mar- 
tin of  Miranda,  and  of  the  one  he  called  "  II 
Liberator,"  till  Tom,  intoxicated  with  youth  and 
ambition  and  the  story,  stumbled  to  his  uncle's 
room  at  two  in  the  morning  and  insisted  that  he 
would  resign  and  leave  for  the  South  in  twenty- 
four  hours — that  his  career  was  ruined  in  the 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  19 

States — that  the  administration  would  not  dare 
promote  him  in  the  face  of  the  complaints  of 
Spain  and  that  he  would  go,  with  or  without  per- 
mission. 

"  Bah !  I'll  see  you  are  promoted,  but  if  you 
go  South  you'll  go  without  money,  Tom,  mah 
boy,"  said  Uncle  Tom  dryly  and  so  wrent  to  sleep, 
while  Tom  raged  off  hopelessly,  to  his  room,  for 
a  lieutenant's  pay  and  expensive  tastes  didn't 
leave  him  a  sou  to  call  his  own,  while  his  fortune 
was  absolutely  in  the  hands  of  Uncle  Tom  to  give 
or  to  withhold. 

Tom  was  not  the  only  one,  when  the  last  cen- 
tury was  young,  who  wanted  to  take  part  in  the 
war  of  the  Spanish  Vice  Royalties.  Hundreds 
of  young  Americans,  forgotten  and  unsung,  in- 
spired with  the  spirit  of  adventure,  went  south 
in  those  days  and  not  alone  young  Americans, 
but  young  Englishmen,  Frenchmen  and  Irishmen 
swarmed  thither.  Bolivar  had  at  one  time,  a 
foreign  legion  of  nearly  eight  thousand.  An 
American  officer  organized  the  wonderful  cav- 
alry that  won  the  decisive  victory;  an  English 
nobleman,  the  Earl  of  Dundonald,  commanded 


20    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

in  his  own  ship  in  the  naval  victories  of  Chili, 
and  many  gallant  deeds  they  accomplished,  and 
the  fields  of  many  battlefields,  whose  names  are 
to  us  unknown,  they  reddened  with  their  blood 
and  whitened  with  their  bones.  Dead  and  gone 
for  nearly  a  hundred  years,  their  graves  are 
scattered  through  a  continent,  in  tropical  jungles, 
on  the  slopes  of  the  Andes  and  in  deep  shadowed 
valleys,  and  what  they  fought  for  and  what  ac- 
complished is  forgotten  by  their  countrymen, 
but  down  in  the  little  republics,  now  gallantly 
struggling  into  place  and  power,  they  are  still 
remembered  and  stories  of  their  deeds,  that  have 
become  epics,  are  told  about  the  fountain  in  the 
market-place  and  in  the  huts  of  the  people. 

But  all  this  is  taking  us  far  from  Tom  Clayton, 
raging  in  Washington  at  his  uncle  and  his  idle- 
ness. Finding  that  the  old  gentleman  was  not 
to  be  moved,  Master  Tom  sought  out  Du  Plessis, 
held  other  long  talks  with  him  and  studied  Span- 
ish furiously. 

One  morning,  Uncle  Tom  lounged  into  Lieuten- 
ant Tom's  room  as  the  latter  was  shaving. 

"  Tom,  mah  boy,  you  are  in  a  mess,"  said  he. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  21 

His  nephew  stopped  shaving  for  a  moment  and 
held  the  razor  extended,  then  puckered  his  face 
under  the  lather  and  looked  at  his  uncle  in  dis- 
gust. 

"  I  know  it,"  he  said. 

"  You  have  become,"  continued  the  latter,  "  an 
international  difficulty." 

"Eh — what?  Hold  on  a  minute — I  nearly 
cut  myself." 

A  few  moments  more  and  the  operation  com- 
pleted, the  young  man  turned  again  to  the  elder. 

"  You  have  become  an  international  difficulty," 
he  repeated. 

"  I'm  blessed  if  I  know  how." 

"  But  ah'll  have  to  ask  you  to  explain — Ahm 
not  quite  clear  mahself." 

"Explain  what?" 
"  Just  what  occurred  at  Pensacola  on " 

Uncle  Tom  consulted  his  note-book. 

"  Last  year,  on  the  twenty-fourth  of  May, 
1818." 

"  You  know  about  that  as  well  as  I." 

"  But  not  your  part — now  you  tell  me  about 
this  from  the  beginning. 


22    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

The  young  man  adjusted  his  high-stocked, 
long-skirted  lieutenant's  coat,  held  his  high  hat 
with  its  black  pompon  in  the  crook  of  his  arm 
and  yawned. 

"What's  the  use?" 

"  The  administration  has  kept  you  kicking 
your  heels  here  in  Washington  for  six  months. 
You  may  be  courtmartialed.  The  Spanish  insist. 
I  have  the  ear  of  the  president  and  I  want  to 
know  this  story  from  beginning  to  end." 

"Well,  sir,  as  you  know,  I  was  aide-de-camp 
to  General  Jackson  when  he  marched  against  the 
Creeks  and  Seminoles." 

Judge  Clayton  nodded. 

"  We  had  a  skirmish — the  Indians  ran.  On 
the  field  were  three  of  their  number  dead — one 
of  the  dead  men  was  a  Spaniard.  The  papers 
found  on  him  showed  him  to  be  a  Spanish  officer." 

"  The  devil,"  said  the  Judge. 

"Precisely,"  said  Tom.  "Then  we  captured 
some  of  the  redskins.  One  of  their  lot  bragged 
that  they  had  the  backing  of  the  king  of  Spain 
and  the  promise  of  protection  at  Pensacola  if 
defeated." 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  23 

"  Yes — yes,"  said  the  Judge.     "  I  read  that." 

"  Well/'  continued  Tom,  "  when  we  had  finally 
defeated  the  Indians,  Jackson  ordered  us  to 
march  to  Pensacola  and  we  marched." 

"  That  I  know  also,"  said  the  Judge. 

"Well,  we  reached  Pensacola,  and  Jackson 
sent  me  in  with  a  flag  of  truce  to  the  Command- 
ant." 

"  Now,  that's  just  it,"  said  Uncle  Tom.  "  This 
is  the  part  I  want  to  know  about." 

"  Well,"— said  Tom,  « the  General  told  me  to 
go  in  to  the  town,  demand  the  surrender  of  the 
place  and  order  the  Commandant  and  his  garri- 
son to  pack  off,  bag  and  baggage,  to  Havana 
and  to  be  quick  about  it.  '  By  the  eternal,'  he 
said,  '  tell  them  to  vamoose.  That  if  they  have 
the  temerity  and  intrepidity  to  stand,  I  won't 
leave  one  of  them  alive.'  Well,  I  carried  out  the 
General's  orders  and  the  Spanish  vamoosed." 

"  Er  " — said  Uncle  Tom,  "  what  words  did  you 
use  to  the  Commandant? 

"  Precisely  what  I've  told  you." 

"  Um — not  very  diplomatic." 

"  See  here,"  said  Tom.    "  I'm  an  officer  of  the 


24    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

army,  I  knew  Jackson  of  old  and  I  fully  realized 
that  in  a  time  of  nominal  peace,  we  were  com- 
mitting an  act  of  war  in  a  supposedly  friendly 
country.  Now  that  was  none  of  my  business. 
I  was  under  orders,  but  when  I  am  under  orders, 
in  order  that  there  may  be  no  mistake,  I  obey 
those  orders  to  the  letter.  I  don't  propose  to  be 
sacrificed,  when  the  cruel  war  is  over,  on  the  plea 
that  I  blundered.  I  wrote  down  just  what  Jack- 
son said  and  he  signed  it,  laughed,  and  we  both 
took  a  drink — then  I  went  in  to  Pensacola  and 
read  that  paper  just  as  it  was — that's  all." 

"  Got  the  paper,"  said  Uncle  Tom. 

"Yes,"  said  Lieutenant  Tom. 

"  Ah  reckon  there  won't  be  any  courtmartial 
then,"  said  Uncle  Tom.  Then  he  continued — 
"  General  Jackson  says  he  was  authorized  by  a 
letter  from  Calhoun  to  invade  Florida,  but  he 
hasn't  got  the  letter.  Calhoun  whiffles,  Monroe, 
is  in  a  twitter — Spain  demands  an  apology  and 
an  indemnity  and  your  dismissal  from  the  army 
and  the  cashiering  of  Jackson.  The  whole  South 
is  with  Jackson  and  demands  war  rather  than 
apologize.  You  may  be  sacrificed  to  save  the 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  25 

administration's  face  with  Spain.  By  the  way, 
they  also  say,  Jackson  hung  two  Englishmen." 

"  Yes,"  said  Torn,  "  he  did.  They  were  drill- 
ing the  refugee  niggers  and  Indians  that  had 
been  raiding  Georgia." 

"  Did  you  have  anything  to  do  with  that?  " 

"  No,  sir — but  we  are  wasting  time.  I  thought 
we  were  to  call  on  the  President  to-day  in  regard 
to  my  promotion  that  you  were  to  bring  about." 

"  No  use,  Tom." 

"What?" 

"  In  the  face  of  Spain's  protests — the  adminis- 
tration won't  promote  you." 

«  But " 

"  They  won't." 

"  I'll  resign— I'll " 

"Then  what?" 

"  Why — I  don't  know — go  west — go  to  farm- 
ing I  reckon — you  won't  let  me  go  south." 

"  Ah  don't  think  you  were  made  for  farming," 
said  Uncle  Tom. 

"  What  else  can  I  do?  " 

"  Ah  had  a  talk  with  Henry  Clay  this  morning, 


26    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

and  ah  have  changed  my  opinion  about  your  go- 
ing south." 

"How?" 

"  Tom,  have  you  kept  track  of  things  since 
you've  been  down  in  the  Everglades." 

"  Some." 

"  You  know  that  all  South  America  is  in  revolt 
again." 

"  Of  course  I  do." 

"  Well,  our  friends — Jackson's  friends — Henry 
Clay's  friends — want  us  to  intervene." 

"  Hurrah— we'll  do  it!" 

"  Not  so  fast — the  administration  wants  peace. 
They  say  we  can  settle  our  own  quarrel  with 
Spain  by  buying  Florida  and  incidentally,  dis- 
missing Lieutenant  Tom  Clayton  from  the  ser- 
vice— that  the  South  American  revolutionists  are 
a  lot  of  cut-throats  and  are  beaten  anyway — that 
the  Holy  Alliance,  Russia,  Austria  and  Prussia, 
are  backing  Spain,  and  that  even  to  recognize 
these  people  means  a  war  with  Europe." 

"  I've  talked  this  with  you  a  hundred  times." 

"  Henry  Clay  talked  yesterday,"  said  the 
Judge.  "  He  wants  accurate,  inside  information 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  27 

of  what  the  South  Americans  are  doing.  He 
has  heard  that  this  chap  called  "  II  Liberator  " 
is  about  to  land  a  force  in  New  Grenada,  with 
fair  prospects  of  success.  He  wants  some  one 
in  wrhom  he  has  confidence,  who  won't  tell  his 
plans  to  the  administration,  to  join  this  force 
and  to  convey  to  "  II  Liberator,"  a  subscription 
that  Clay's  friends  have  raised  for  him — to  stay 
with  the  expedition  and  to  keep  Clay  informed. 
He  means  to  force  the  hand  of  the  administration 
and  make  it  either  intervene  or  issue  a  declara- 
tion to  Europe  to  keep  hands  off." 

"  Well — what  has  this  to  do  with  me?  " 

"  Ah  can  get  an  indefinite  furlough  for  you — 
the  President  would  like  you  to  have  an  indefinite 
furlough," 

"  You  mean — " 

The  Congressman  looked  at  his  nephew  quiz- 
zically. 

"  Nothing,  Tom ;  nothing — but  l  II  Liberator ' 

is  now  in  Hayti — Henry  Clay  will  be  here  to  see 
( 

me  in  half  an  hour — he  might  be  persuaded  to 
i 

appoint  you  his  correspondent.     If  so,  I  have 

no  objection." 


28    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  Hurrah !  "  said  Tom. 

"  Ah  thought  you  would,"  said  Uncle  Tom. 
"  And  by  the  way — I  mahself  may  go  down  there 
later  as  Special  Commissioner  for  the  United 
States." 

So  Tom  became  Henry  Clay's  correspondent. 
He  joined  the  army  of  "  II  Liberator  "  at  an  ob- 
scure point  in  Hayti  and  among  the  foreign  of- 
ficers he  found  his  old  acquaintance  Du  Plessis, 
and  with  his  new  companions  he  had  sailed  to- 
ward an  unknown  destination,  not  knowing  what 
awaited  him,  the  dangers  and  perils  he  was  to 
encounter  and  with  no  thought  that  perhaps  love 
beckoned  in  the  guise  of  ambition  and  that  curi- 
ous things  awaited  him  under  the  Southern 
Cross. 

At  last  the  expedition  landed,  then  came  the 
battle,  the  defeat,  the  annihilation,  he  feared,  of 
"  II  Liberator's "  army ;  for  that  army  had  be- 
come, so  far  as  he  could  learn,  merely  a  disorgan- 
ized and  scattered  lot  of  fugitives  who  were  hid- 
ing in  the  grass  of  the  pampas  till  they  could 
make  their  way  out  of  the  country  or  die  of  fever 
or  famine  in  the  jungle. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  29 

He  had  fled  with  the  rest  and  after  a  few  days' 
wanderings  had  found  the  path  to  the  village 
and  stumbled  on  Du  Plessis  catching  frogs. 

After  leaving  Du  Plessis,  the  young  American 
walked  on  his  way  down  the  path,  looking  with 
wonder  at  the  height  of  the  grass  that  walled 
him  in  on  either  side.  It  was  so  high  that  it 
would  conceal  a  man  on  horseback  and  it 
stretched,  though  this  he  did  not  know,  for  hun- 
dreds of  miles,  unbroken  except  by  occasional 
narrow  trails  or  by  here  and  there  an  open  space, 
only  known  to  those  most  familiar  with  the 
country ;  shifting ,  shimmering,  reflecting  the 
shadows  of  the  flying  clouds — it  was  a  maze,  a 
labyrinth  and  a  mystery,  to  the  solution  of  which 
the  recently  defeated  "  II  Liberator  "  had  given 
months  of  study  and  on  account  of  which  he  had 
chosen  this  remote  place  to  again  enter  the  con- 
tinent. 

At  the  end  of  the  path,  Clayton  found  an  open 
space  and  far  to  the  right  perceived  a  country 
house  or  hacienda,  surrounded  by  a  wall  and  of 
considerable  extent;  in  front  was  the  village  of 
huts  and  the  stockade  he  had  seen  when  he  left 


30    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

Du  Plessis.  Suddenly  he  was  startled  by  feeling 
himself  seized  by  the  shoulder. 

"  You  are  a  prisoner !  "  said  a  voice  in  Spanish. 

Turning  he  found  himself  surrounded  by  a 
party  of  soldiers  in  ragged  Spanish  uniforms. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  31 


CHAPTER  II. 

TOM  CLAYTON  MEETS  A  GIRL  OF  THE  COUNTRY. 

FOUR  days  after  his  capture,  as  just  related, 
Tom  Clayton  was  still  a  prisoner,  and  in  spite  of 
the  dirt,  the  heat,  the  squalor  and  the  buzzing  in- 
sects, was  not  having  an  unpleasant  time  of  it. 

After  his  arrest,  when  he  emerged  from  the 
path  through  the  grass,  he  was  brought  before 
the  local  Commandant,  who  courteously  listened 
to  his  explanations  and  then  sent  him  to  a  hut 
inside  the  stockade,  where  he  was  left  under 
guard.  To  all  his  inquiries  and  demands,  the 
Commandant  had  shrugged  his  shoulders  and 
answered,  "  Manana,"  and  with  this  he  had  to 
be  content. 

That  he  was  not  promptly  hanged  or  garrotted 
or  otherwise  put  out  of  the  way,  he  owed,  not  to 
his  explanations,  as  he  thought,  but  to  the  fact, 


32    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

all  unknown  to  him,  that  his  guards  had  no 
powder  and  the  Commandant  was  a  martinet — 
"  shoot  all  prisoners,"  was  the  order.  Now  pow- 
der was  coming  and  meanwhile  the  guards  were 
not  averse  to  chatting  with  him,  sitting  about 
cross-legged  on  the  ground  in  front  of  the  hut 
they  assigned  him,  and  constantly  smoking  cig- 
arettes. 

"  Eh !  Carramba !  "  said  one.  "  The  Vice  Roy 
comes  next  week,  then  you  will  be  shot,  it  is  very 
sad!" 

"  Comes  here? — I  thought  the  capital  was  the 
other  side  of  the  continent." 

"Eh!  Yes!  But  he  has  a  ward  here,  just 
sent  in  from  the  convent.  She  came  an  hour 
after  your  capture,  down  the  same  path.  She  is 
here  now,  waiting  for  him,  with  her  friend,  and 
that  friend  a  red  pepper — and  her  duenna.  The 
Vice  Roy  is  making  the  yearly  visitation." 

"  A  ward,"  Clayton  idly  questioned,  to  keep 
the  conversation  going  and  wondering  whether 
the  "  ward  "  was  the  person  for  whose  passing 
Du  Plessis  had  waited. 

"  Eh !    Who  knows — some  say  a  daughter,  at 


60 

Ml 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  33 

any  rate,  she  has  property — eh — such  property 
and  the  Vice  Roy  controls  it." 

"  Pretty?  " 

"  As  the  saints  who  are  belles  of  heaven !  " 

Clayton,  by  this  time,  was  quite  used  to  their 
manner  of  speech,  but  still  could  not  help  smil- 
ing. 

"  Humph ! "  he  said,  "  You  allow  me  a  good 
many  privileges,  why  don't  you  let  me  talk  to 
one  of  those  pretty  girls  who  are  always  pass- 
ing? "  He  indicated  the  door  of  the  stockade,  in 
at  which  a  country  girl  was  just  peering  curiously 
at  "  The  Impassive  Yankee,"  as  they  called  him. 

"  Eh !  "  said  the  guard.  "  I  will  ask  the  Com- 
mandant, otherwise  I  should  be  shot,  if  there 
were — "  He  paused. 

c-  You   were  about   to  say — " 

"  Oh,  nothing,  Senor — but  about  this  girl — eh, 
you  would  pay."  Clayton  flipped  him  a  pesata. 

"  Muchos  gracias,"  said  the  guard  and  idled 
away. 

Late  that  afternoon,  as  Clayton  sat  in  front 
of  his  hut,  he  was  surprised  to  see  the  guard  of 
the  morning  escorting  a  young  girl  toward  him. 


34    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

She  was  unusually  beautiful,  even  for  that  land 
of  beautiful  women,  was  dressed  like  the  country 
girls,  with  short  skirt  and  her  feet  were  bare, 
but  one  thing  about  her  was  quite  unusual.  The 
country-women  went  barefooted  usually  and  their 
feet  were  large  and  ill-shaped  and  not  over  clean. 
This  girl  had  little  white  feet. 

"A  girl  of  the  country,"  said  the  guard,  but 
Clayton  noticed  that  he  treated  her  with  great 
respect. 

"  A  poor  Creole  girl,"  said  the  young  woman 
shyly  and  Clayton  noticed  that  her  Spanish  was 
purer  than  the  patois  of  the  Catalan  soldiers. 

"And  you,  Senor?" 

"  I  am  an  American  officer,  a  correspondent 
of  Henry  Clay,"  said  Clayton,  courteously.  The 
guard  stood  by  grinning.  The  girl  gave  a  gesture 
and  he  moved  farther  away. 

"  Eh,  Senor,  and  a  prisoner.  What  have  you 
done?  "  she  continued. 

"Nothing,"  said  Clayton;  "they  think  I  am 
one  of  II  Liberator's  foreign  legion." 

"  The  Vice  Roy  should  be  informed." 

"  I  shall  appeal  to  him  when  he  comes." 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  35 

"  Eh,  Jesu !  before  that,  they  will  shoot  you." 

"  Well,  why  have  they  not  already  done  so?" 

"Eh,  what!— then  you  don't  know?"  She 
laughed  musically.  "  Well,  I  may  not  tell." 

"  Do  you  know  the  Vice  Roy,"  he  queried. 

"  Eh !  a  little." 

"  Perhaps  you  know  his  ward." 

"  Si — I  am  about  her  daily,  I,  I  attend  her." 

"  And  her  friend  ?  " 

"  Si — si — a  great  beauty — do  you  know  she  is 
betrothed.  Si,  her  fiance  comes  with  the  Vice 
Hoy  and  she  has  never  seen  him.  Her  parents 
did  it,  but  she  loves  his  picture.  It  is  beautiful." 

"And  you?" 

"  Bah !  no — I  have  no  lover  and  Senorita 
Maria  is  jealous  of  me  already." 

"Of  you?" 

"  Eh — of — Senorita  Inez,  Si — and  of  me  also, 
It  is  because  we  looked  at  Lieutenant  Francisco's 
picture." 

"  Wrell,  if  I  were  Senorita  Maria,  and  thought 
the  original  of  the  picture  might  meet  you,  I 
should  be  jealous." 

"  Eh — you  pay  compliments.    Muchos  gracias." 


36    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

She  dropped  a  courtesy.  "  But  awkward  ones. 
You  have  seen  '  II  Liberator.'  How  does  he 
look?" 

"  Why,  why — "  said  Clayton,  looking  at  her 
closely,  "  when  he  was  a  boy,  he  must  have  looked 
like  you,  and  if  you  were  a  man  and  fifty,  you 
would  look  something  like  him." 

"  Eh !  blood  of  the  saints !  you  do  not  compli- 
ment. Pah!  he  is  the  arch  rebel — Apollyon — 
I  have  heard  he  had  hoofs  and  horns." 

"  From  whom?" 

"  Why,  why — from  many.  The  nuns,  I — I  at- 
tended Seuorita  Inez  at  the  convent — daily 
warned  us  against  him  and  every  night  we  prayed 
to  be  delivered  from  him,  yet  many,  they  say,  of 
the  people,  the  ignorant,  love  him." 

"  But  you,  you  say,  are  a  poor  Creole  girl." 

"  Eh !  quite  so,  but  brought  up  with  those  of 
the  Hidalgoes." 

"And  your  own  family?" 

"  Eh,  I  have  none — no,  an  old  man  picked  me 
up,  an  infant  on  a  battlefield — eh,  Jesu! — was  it 
not  curious? — he  placed  me  later  with  the  Vice 
Roy's  household." 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  37 

"  They,  at  least,  do  not  love  '  II  Liberator.'  " 

"  No,  Senor,  he  is  the  scourge  of  the  South,  but 
they  say  he  has  brains,  intelligence,  and  was  once 
kindly,  but  now  embittered." 

"  Senorita,  he  is  a  great  man,  a  wonderful 
man." 

"  Jesu ! — I  wish  I  could  see  him." 

"  Why?  " 

"  Eh,  Madre  a  dios,  I  would  persuade  him  of  his 
errors.  He  has  never  been  shown  the  right  way." 

She  spoke  in  sober  earnest,  and  Clayton  smiled 
at  her  simplicity. 

"  Eh,  you  smile, — but  bah,  they  tell  a  story  that 
he  will  come  to  salvation  by  a  maid, — why  not 
by  me?  The  nuns  told  us,  each  one,  if  the  op- 
portunity came,  to  plead  with  him." 

"  Some  say,"  said  Clayton,  "  that  the  prophecy 
means  that  by  a  woman's  aid  he  will  win." 

"  Bah,  never — still  at  times,  even  I  and  of  the 
Vice  Roy's  household,  have  felt  our  people  were 
too  severe  and  that  heaven  would  find  the  balance 
tipping  against  us, — but  enough,  it  is  late — 
adios."  She  was  gone. 

The  next  morning  the  guard  seemed  unusually 


38    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

solicitous  that  Clayton  should  eat  a  good  break- 
fast. 

"Why?"  asked  the  prisoner. 

"  Carramba !  'tis  likely  to  be  your  last. 
Romero  comes  to-day  to  relieve  us." 

"  Romero ! " 

"  Si,  the  black  captain,  of  the  Devil's  Legion, 
once  a  slave,  now  an  officer,  bah — disgusting.  He 
will  shoot  all  the  prisoners  to  be  rid  of  them." 

In  the  afternoon  the  Creole  girl  again  ap- 
peared. She  was  downcast  in  appearance. 

"  Eh,"  she  said  abruptly — "  why  do  you  not 
escape?  " 

Eagerness  flashed  in  Clayton's  eyes.  It  was 
what  he  had  hoped,  but  not  so  soon. 

"  I  may  trust  you?  "  said  he. 

She  nodded. 

"  I  have  thought  of  it,  but  the  guards  are 
many,  the  path  from  the  gate  narrow.  If  I 
should  dash  through,  I  should  be  shot.  If  I  stay 
here  they  will  set  me  fre.e  once  the  Vice  Roy  comes 
— I  am  a  non-combatant,  a  neutral." 

"  You  are  an  imbecile.  Listen,  there  is  no 
powder.  It  is  a  secret.  I  wish  to  help  you.  Ro- 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  39 

mero  brings  powder  to-night — you  will  be  shot  at 
sunrise." 

"  But  the  sentinel  at  the  gate." 

"  Listen — just  after  dark,  I  will  pass  along  the 
street,  singing.  There  is  no  moon,  there  are  no 
lights.  I  will  drop  a  sack  over  the  sentinel's 
head,  then  run.  Do  you  also  run!  At  the  end 
of  the  street,  enter  the  grass  of  the  pampas. 
Once  under  cover,  they  will  never  find  you. 
Blood  of  the  saints!  But  you  will  probably  rot 
there,  but  you  will  not  be  shot.  I  will  try  and 
send  a  messenger  to  you,  a  little -girl,  Carmen. 
Her  father  is  of  the  Rebels.  The  man  here  is 
bribed  to  let  us  talk,  he  thinks,  eh  " — a  blush 
spread  over  the  girl's  face.  "  There  is  already 
something  between  us,  you  are  better-looking 
than  Francisco." 

"  Tell  me  your  name,  who  you  are.  I  shall 
never  forget  you,"  said  Clayton. 

"Eh — a  poor  Creole  girl — it  will  answer." 
She  shrugged  her  shoulders.  "  Eh !  Seiior !  I 
would  tease  Senorita  Maria — eh !  I  would  tell 
her  I  am  betrothed,  you  will  never  see  me  again." 


40    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  By  all  means,"  said  Clayton  clumsily,  "  tell 
her  we  are  betrothed." 

"  Bah,  pig  of  a  Yankee,  not  like  that !  Why  did 
you  not  say  you  loved  me,  adored  me.  Eh !  bah ! 
Carramba!  I  am  disappointed  in  you,  but  re- 
member, to-night,  escape!"  She  gave  a  light 
laugh  and  was  gone. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  41 


CHAPTER  III. 

HOW    THE    SPANISH    TREATED    A    NON-COMBATANT, 
AN  ENVOY. 

IT  was  a  week  later,  the  place,  an  open  one, 
was  on  the  banks  of  the  great  river  near  the  vil- 
lage. On  all  sides,  the  lofty  pampas  grass,  so 
high  it  was  like  a  forest,  so  thick,  it  was  like  a 
shining  wall  of  green  and  yellow,  rustled  and 
whispered.  Near  the  banks  of  the  river,  the 
grass  gave  place  to  a  thick  tangled  jungle  of 
trees  and  vines.  On  the  left  was  a  thatched  hut. 
The  time  was  early  morning. 

Leaning  against  the  door  of  the  hut,  a  sword 
in  his  hand,  stood  the  young  Kentuckian.  There 
was  a  blood-stained  bandage  about  his  head  and 
on  his  face,  a  look  of  exhaustion,  but  an  expres- 
sion of  resolution  and  courage.  Behind  him 
crouched  a  young  girl  of  twelve  or  thirteen,  a 


42    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

child.  She  was  crying  softly,  but  her  eyes 
gleamed  with  hatred.  In  front  stood  an  ugly 
and  brutal  negro,  dressed  in  a  captain's  uniform, 
in  his  hand  a  heavy  whip.  Behind  him  were 
four  negro  soldiers.  All  were  breathing  heavily, 
while  at  one  side,  the  crackling  of  a  fire  made 
the  only  interruption. 

The  "  poor  Creole  girl "  had  managed  Clay- 
ton's escape  as  she  had  promised.  For  a  week 
he  had  hidden  in  the  grass  of  the  pampas,  and  for 
a  week  the  little  girl  Carmen  had  brought  him 
food,  but  never  a  word  would  she  tell  him  of  his 
friend  of  the  stockade.  That  morning  the  child 
had  been  surprised  by  the  negroes  who  had  been 
searching  for  Clayton  and  the  latter  had  inter- 
rupted them  as  they  were  engaged  in  roasting  her 
feet  to  make  her  tell  his  whereabouts. 

Suddenly,  the  negro  officer  muttered  an  order. 
The  soldiers  closed  in  on  the  young  man. 

"  Run,  little  one,"  said  Clayton. 

As  he  spoke,  he  bent  toward  the  child.  She 
tried  to  rise,  but  pointing  to  her  feet,  made  a 
gesture  expressive  of  inability  to  use  them. 

"  Eh !  What !  "  continued  Clayton,  "  they  have 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  43 

burnt  your  feet !  Crawl,  get  away ! "  As  he 
spoke,  the  child  crawled  and  squirmed  her  way 
backward  through  the  grass,  wThile  the  negroes 
pressed  closer  to  her  protector;  the  latter  aimed 
a  stroke  with  his  sword  at  the  nearest  one,  but 
the  soldier  caught  it  on  his  gun-barrel  and  the 
blade  broke,  nearly  at  the  hilt. 

"  Eh,  you  are  the  escaped  Yankee — we  are  five, 
surrender/'  said  the  officer. 

The  young  man  looked  about  him.  There  was 
no  chance  of  escape.  The  child  had  disappeared. 

"  Bah,  my  sword  is  broken,"  he  flung  it  down 
in  disgust  "  I  surrender! " 

"  Bind  him ! "  The  four  soldiers  leaped  on 
him,  grinning  their  relief  that  the  fight  was  over, 
and  bound  him  hand  and  foot  with  a  heavy  vine 
that  they  tore  for  the  purpose  from  the  jungle. 

Against  this  binding,  the  prisoner  protested, 
not  angrily  but  impatiently,  as  though  his  cap- 
tors were  unwittingly  making  a  mistake. 

"  Come — come,  unbind  me,  I  am  merely  a  non- 
combntant,  a  civilian,  a  friend  of  Henry  Clay  of 
the  United  States.  I  have  been  with  l  II  Libera- 
tor' merely  as  his  correspondent." 


44    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

Neither  officer  nor  soldiers,  for  the  moment, 
made  any  response.  They  simply  stood  breath- 
ing heavily.  In  a  moment  one  of  the  soldiers 
lifted  a  bugle  and  blew  the  recall. 

The  officer  wiped  the  sweat  from  his  forehead 
with  the  back  of  his  hand  and  looked  at  his  pris- 
oner. A  malicious  grin  spread  over  his  features. 

"  Well,  Seiior  Yankee,  you  saved  that  brat's 
life  and  for  a  non-combatant — "  He  shrugged  his 
shoulders  expressively. 

"  But  you  were  trying  to  torture  her,"  the 
tone  was  coldly  argumentative. 

The  officer  waved  the  implied  argument  aside 
curtly. 

"  You  are  as  good  as  dead." 

"  But  I  tell  you  I  am  a  sort  of  envoy,  a  non- 
combatant."  Vexation  at  the  other's  stupidity 
mingled  with  the  tone  of  argument.  The  officer 
looked  at  him,  looked  at  him  impatiently. 

"  You  are  an  officer  of  the  Rebel's  foreign 
legion,  that  is  what  you  are.  It  is  scattered  to 
the  winds  of  heaven — and  I — I  am  II  Capitan 
Romero  of  the  Regiment  Diablo."  He  paused  as 
though  his  own  name  and  that  of  his  regiment, 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  45 

well  known  throughout  the  Vice  Royalties  for 
their  cruelty,  would  make  his  prisoner  tremble. 

Instead,  again,  came  the  tone  of  weary  im- 
patience. "  I  don't  think  I  am  happy  to  meet 
you  and  I  tell  you  I  am  not  an  officer,  my  papers 
are  in  my  breast-pocket — you  can  read  them." 

The  captain  felt  he  was  not  showing  that  su- 
periority that  belonged  to  him  and  as  one  of  the 
soldiers  took  the  papers  from  Clayton,  he  seated 
himself  on  a  log  and  carelessly  tossed  the  packet 
into  the  fire. 

"  Bah — that  for  your  papers.  Last  week,  after 
the  defeat  of  the  rebels,  you  were  captured." 

"  Yes,  you  scoundrels,  I  came  to  the  village, 
frankly,  openly.  Your  people  made  me  a  pris- 
oner, the  guard  said  I  was  to  be  shot — of  course 
I  escaped." 

"  Eh,  well,  some  woman  managed  your  escape. 
You  blundered  here  and  spoiled  sport  with  the 
child." 

He  turned  lazily  to  one  of  the  soldiers. 

"  Put  a  noose  round  his  neck." 

The  soldier  advanced  and  did  so,  then  stood 
aside,  holding  the  end  in  his  hand. 


46    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  Pull  the  noose  a  little." 

The  soldier  pulled  and  the  young  American 
choked  and  coughed  as  the  noose  tightened  about 
his  neck. 

An  expression  of  satisfaction  crossed  the  Cap 
tain's  features.  He  could  make  the  white  man 
uncomfortable. 

"  Ah,  you  cough.    Describe  this  woman !  " 

"  Suppose  I  do." 

"  We  will  merely  shoot  you." 

"  Oh,  merely  shoot  me — what  will  you  do  to 
her?" 

"Shoot  her!" 

"Suppose  I  don't?" 

*  We  will  burn  you.  Touch  a  brand  to  his 
fingers." 

The  soldier  dropped  the  noose  and  taking  a 
brand,  approached  the  prisoner.  The  latter 
shrank  away  a  little  and  staggered.  "  Well,  I 
will  not  describe  her,"  he  said. 

"Eh,  hot,  isn't  it?" 

The  tone  was  taunting.  Romero  rose  and  ad- 
vanced his  ugly  face  close  to  the  prisoner's. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  47 

An  expression  of  disgust  crossed  the  latter's 
features. 

"  Do  you  know,  I  don't  like  you." 

"  Carramba,  you  insult  me.  Pile  up  the  straw ! 
Roast  him ! " 

The  men  rushed  like  monkeys  to  gather  and 
pile  about  Clayton  the  dry  tangle  of  grass  that 
was  about  them.  As  they  did  so,  a  rustling  and 
murmur  of  voices  attracted  the  attention  of  the 
captain. 

"  Eh,  hello !  "  said  he. 

The  grass  parted  and  four  people  came  into  the 
little  clearing.  Three  were  women,  two  of  them 
young.  The  man  was  a  young  officer,  a  military 
dandy. 

"  Eh,  Jesu ! "  said  the  youngest  and  prettiest 
woman. 

Clayton  looked  at  her  startled — she  was  his 
friend  of  the  prison.  Captain  Romero  bowed  in 
seeming  respect  to  the  strangers,  but  a  sneer  ran 
through  his  address  to  them. 

"  Eh,  welcome,  the  haughty  Donna  Isabella, 
the  proud  Sefiorita  Maria,  the  beautiful  Senorita 


48    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

Inez,  the  high  and  mighty  Aide-de-Camp,  Fran- 
cisco." 

As  he  mentioned  each  by  name,  he  made  a  pro- 
found bow,  placing  his  hand  on  his  belt  as  though 
about  to  turn  himself  over  his  arm  as  a  gymnast 
over  a  bar. 

The  ladies  courtesied  silently  in  return,  the 
young  officer  bowed  superciliously. 

"  Eh — Senor,  we  are  lost,"  said  he. 

He  gestured  freely  as  he  spoke  and  shrugged 
his  shoulders. 

"  We  are  of  the  Vice  Hoy's  household  and  came 
out  from  the  village  to  see  the  country,  and  were 
trying  a  short  cut  homeward,"  he  added,  looking 
for  a  moment  at  the  prisoner  as  if  to  include  him, 
as  a  matter  of  courtesy,  in  the  number  of  his 
listeners. 

"  Senor,"  said  Clayton. 

«  Eh—" 

"  You  are  an  officer,  a  gentleman,  a  white  man. 
This  brute — "  he  nodded  to  Romero,  "  means  to 
burn  me  like  a  dog." 

The  group  turned  and  looked  at  him  with  vary- 
ing expressions. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  49 

"  Madre  a  dios — never,"  said  Senorita  Inez,  the 
youngest. 

The  officer  apparently  did  not  hear  her.  He 
bowed  politely  and  in  a  tone  of  indifference, 
said — 

"  Senor,  I  am  sorry — indeed  I  am — but  eh — it 
is  not  my  command — I  cannot  help  you." 

"  But  I'm  an  envoy,  a  non-combatant." 

"  That  will  be  most  unfortunate,  eh — for — 
Romero,  but  that  is  his  affair." 

He  dismissed  the  matter  with  an  airy  smile 
and  walked  aside.  The  others,  all  but  one, 
seemed  equally  indifferent.  Executions  and  even 
burnings  were  quite  a  matter  of  course  in  the 
Vice  Royalties  in  1821.  Quite  otherwise,  how- 
ever, was  the  attitude  of  one,  of  Senorita  Inez. 
Her  face  paled,  she  shuddered. 

"  Eh,  Captain,  eh,  Francisco — you  shall  not 
burn  him,  he  says  he  is  an  envoy." 

Romero  bowed,  still  with  that  curious  air  of 
an  ugly  and  sullen  dog  under  a  beating. 

"  He  had  his  chance." 

"  How  a  chance?  " 

"  He   is  an   escaped   prisoner,    some   woman 


50    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

helped  him  to  escape — he  might  have  told  her 
name,  but  would  not — what  would  you?" 

The  girl's  face  flushed,  her  eyes  sparkled  with 
admiration. 

"  And  he  wouldn't  tell — to  save  his  life — you 
shall  not  burn  him !  " 

She  stamped  her  foot.  Clayton  noticed  that 
now  it  was  shod  in  a  shoe  made  only  in  Paris, 
but  his  regard  was  directed  quickly  to  her  whole 
aspect.  She  had  become  a  fury. 

"  You  shall  not  burn  this  man,  this  gentleman ! 
bah — if  you  stoop  to  this,  bah — I  myself  will  be- 
come a  revolutionist." 

"  You,  the  Vice  Roy's  ward ! " 

"  The  deuce,"  muttered  Clayton. 

But  Inez  was  aroused.  She  walked  up  to 
Romero,  snapping  her  fingers  in  his  face. 

"  Yes,  I — the  Vice  Roy's  ward — and  I  am  the 
Vice  Roy's  ward  and  of  his  household — Captain 
Romero,  Romero,  my  ex-slave — bah — lay  a  finger 
on  him  and  you  shall  know  I  am  the  Vice  Roy's 
ward.  Eh — you  will  want  promotion — Jesu !  how 
you  will  intrigue  for  it,  and  bah — it  won't  come 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  51 

because — I  am  the  Vice  Roy's  ward  and  you  have 
displeased  me." 

Her  little  white  hand  made  a  gesture  as  though 
Romero's  chances  were  being  crumpled  up  and 
cast  aside,  and  the  negro  cowered  away  before 
her.  For  Clayton,  however,  spent  and  tired  and 
with  his  head  aching  cruelly  from  a  blow  received 
in  his  fight  with  the  soldiers,  everything  seemed 
to  spin  round  in  a  topsy-turvy  way,  then  all 
became  darkness. 

When  he  opened  his  eyes  the  place  was  vacant 
except  for  Senorita  Inez,  who  was  bathing  his 
forehead. 

"  Be  still,"  she  said,  "  they  heard  a  bugle,  the 
cowards,  and  ran  away." 

"But  you?" 

"  Eh,  you  are  inquisitive.  I  was  also  running, 
but  I  heard  you  groan  and  came  back — back — " 

Faint  and  far  away  sounded  a  bugle,  then  the 
swing  of  men's  voices  singing, 

"  The  air  is  dark,  the  night  is  chill, 
Come,  Charcoal-burner,  tend  the  fire, 
The  fire  that  gleams  from  vale  and  hill, 
Come,  charcoal-burner,  tend  your  fire." 


52    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

Clayton  leaped  to  his  feet. 

"  Is  it  true?    Are  you  the  Vice  Roy's  ward?  " 

"  Si,  Senor." 

"  Quick,  then — "  As  he  spoke,  he  caught  up  a 
cloak  made  of  a  blanket,  dropped  by  the  child  he 
had  rescued.  "  Put  this  about  you,  let  down  your 
hair,  eh — pull  off  your  shoes  and  stockings." 

"  Eh,  Madre  a  dios,  are  you  insane?  " 

"  No — but — those  bugles,  the  song,  it  is  a 
party  of  II  Liberator's  soldiers.  If  they  find  you, 
suspect  you  of  being  the  Vice  Roy's  ward !  " 

She  understood  him  instantly. 

"  Eh,  Jesu ! — I  shall  pretend  to  be  a  poor  girl, 
a  poor  Creole  girl,  as  when  I  had  my  adventure, 
eh,  Jesu ! — such  an  adventure,  eh,  senor?  " 

He  nodded. 

"  Eh,  you  might  look  elsewhere,"  she  said. 

He  turned  his  back,  a  soft  rustling  of  skirts — 

"  But  not  too  long." 

He  turned.  Before  him  stood  again  the  poor 
Creole  girl — her  hair  flowing  unbound,  a  blanket 
cloak  about  her.  From  beneath  it  peeped  a  very 
white  foot.  Following  his  glance,  the  girl 
blushed  and  dug  her  feet  into  the  mold. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  53 

The  next  minute  there  entered  from  all  sides, 
at  once,  a  throng  of  wild-looking  men — some  in 
uniforms,  some  with  none.  Of  those  in  uniforms, 
no  two  were  alike.  Of  those  without,  the  cos- 
tumes varied  from  the  blankets  of  the  peon  to  the 
dingy  citizen's  dress  of  London,  but  all  were 
dirty  and  most  were  ragged. 


Hita 


54   THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 


CHAPTER  III. 

A  POOR  CREOLE  GIRL  MEETS  A  POOR  SOLDIER  HIDING 
IN   THE  GRASS. 

CURT  orders  were  given. 

"  Axemen,  clear  away !  "  "  First  detail ! " 
"  Second  detail  I "  and  various  groups  began 
swiftly,  with  axes  and  machetes,  to  cut  away  the 
grass  and  hew  down  the  jungle.  In  a  twinkling, 
a  camp  was  formed,  a  cannon,  a  small  field-piece, 
placed  in  position,  the  smoldering  fire  kindled 
again  to  life,  while  beside  it  a  rude  table  was 
constructed  of  planks  torn  from  the  hut. 

While  this  was  going  on,  an  officer  in  a  faded 
French  uniform  approached  Clayton  and  the 
girl.  He  was  the  frog-catcher  Clayton  had  left 
waiting  to  see  a  lady.  His  white  mustaches  were 
still  curled  to  a  point  and  he  bore  himself  as 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  55 

jauntily  and  erectly  as  when,  ten  years  earlier, 
he  had  ridden  beside  Napoleon. 

As  Clayton  saw  him,  he  uttered  a  cry  of  wel- 
come, which  the  officer  repeated — then  swept  a 
bow  to  Inez  as  gallantly  as  he  had  once  saluted 
Josephine. 

"And  Mademoiselle?  Eh!  I  have,  I  think, 
seen  her  before." 

"  Impossible,"  said  Clayton.  "  A  poor  Creole 
girl  who  saved  my  life." 

"  C'est  magnifique — a  heroine,  present  me !  " 

"  Senorita,  permit  me — this  is  Colonel  Du 
Plessis,  a  French  gentleman,  an  old  soldier  of 
Napoleon." 

"  And  Mademoiselle,"  said  Du  Plessis.  "  What 
do  you  think  of  us?  " 

"  Eh !  Jesu !  "  said  Inez.  "  You  are  so  many, 
I  thought  you  annihilated — and  the  strange  uni- 
forms ! " 

"  We  are  the  foreign  Legion  of  the  Liberator — 
gathered  from  four  corners  of  the  world,  the 
prodigal  sons,  the  bad  boys — soldiers  of  fortune 
from  everywhere,"  Du  Plessis  swept  his  hand  in 
a  gesture  to  include  the  groups. 


56    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

Another  officer  joined  them,  stiff  and  angular 
and  insular,  as  different  from  Du  Plessis  in  man- 
ner as  chalk  from  cheese — but  as  truly  a  soldier 
as  the  other.  It  was  Gordon  of  the  English 
guards,  a  penniless  younger  son,  who  had  met  *  II 
Liberator '  on  a  foggy  day  in  a  London  tavern  and 
followed  him  across  the  sea. 

"  Eh,  hello,  Clayton — glad  to  see  you — got  a 
mate,  who  is  she?  "  He  indicated  Inez. 

Again  Clayton  made  the  introduction  and 
again  Inez  asked  some  question  about  the  en- 
campment, and  this  the  Englishman  answered 
after  his  fashion. 

"  Isn't  it  the  devil.  Here  we  are  hiding  like 
muskrats  in  the  grass.  Can't  see  anything,  can't 
hear  anything  five  feet  from  the  patch,  grass  so 
high,  man  on  horseback  can't  be  seen — oh,  my 
eye ! " 

Swift  thoughts  of  the  wonder  and  incredulity 
that  would  exist  in  the  minds  of  the  Spaniards 
only  five  miles  away  in  the  village,  should  she 
tell  them  of  this  strange  army  of  foreigners  at 
their  very  doors  flitted  through  the  girl's  mind, 
but  the  current  of  her  thoughts  was  quickly  in- 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  57 

terrupted  by  the  voice  of  still  another  officer,  his 
form  enveloped  in  a  great  cloak  and  to  whom  all 
seemed  to  pay  the  respect  accorded  those  of  high 
rank. 

"  Ah,  Senor  Clayton,  once  more  welcome  and 
this? "  Two  hazel  eyes  looked  at  Inez  sharply. 
They  said  to  her,  "  You,  yourself  must  answer  me 
and  I  suspect  you."  So  Inez  answered  as  she 
felt  herself  bid. 

"Ah,  Senor,  I  am  a  poor  Creole  girl — a — a 
maid  of  the  Vice  Roy's  household." 

"  Oh,  a  maid — "  polite  incredulity  gleamed  in 
the  hazel  eyes.  He  exchanged  glances  with  Du 
Plessis.  "  I  see — you  may  tell  tales  of  me  when 
you  return,  return  to  the  Vice  Roy's  household." 

The  tone  was  of  a  superior  and  Senorita  Inez 
was  not  used  to  being  so  addressed,  so  she  replied 
somewhat  haughtily  and  was  then  sorry  she  had 
so  replied. 

"  Of  you — why,  who  are  you?  " 

A  mocking  smile  crossed  the  officer's  face. 

"  A  poor  soldier  hiding  in  the  grass." 

In  a  moment  Inez  knew  him.  It  was  "  II  Lib- 
erator" himself,  he  who  was  blessed  and  cursed 
from  one  end  of  the  Province  to  the  other. 


58    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 


CHAPTER  IV. 

HOW  THE  POOR  CREOLE  GIRL  ROUSED  A  MUTINY. 

Now  here  was  "  II  Liberator  "  and  here  was 
Senorita  Inez.  Clayton  remembered  her  conver- 
sation of  the  week  before  and  half  challenged  her 
with  his  look.  She  caught  the  look  and  was  net- 
tled by  it.  The  tall  officer's  hazel  eyes  also 
seemed  to  mock  her. 

"  A  poor  soldier  hiding  in  the  grass,"  said  he. 

"  Eh,  quite  so,"  said  she,  pulling  a  paper  from 
her  inner  dress. 

"  Eyes  hazel,  figure  graceful,  nose  aquiline — " 

"  Pardon  me,  seiiorita,"  it  was  Clayton's  hand 
that  took  the  paper — "  It  might  be  as  well  not 
to  read  that." 

"  What  is  it?  "  The  officer  looked  at  Clayton, 
but  Inez  answered. 

"  A  proclamation,  offering  ten  thousand  pes- 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  59 

atas  for — one  called  by  some,  '  II  Liberator,'  by 
others,  the  'Arch  Traitor  ' — dead  or  alive." 

"  Ah — and  the  poor  Creole  girl  is  interested  in 
— proclamations."  The  hazel  eyes  laughed  at 
her.  A  wave  of  anger  swept  over  her. 

"  Yes,  interested  for — "  her  voice  rose  loud  and 
clear,  it  rang  over  the  camp  like  a  bell,  so  that 
every  soldier  heard,  and  as  he  heard,  dropped 
whatever  he  might  be  doing  and  crowded  about 
her — "  It  offers  his  deluded  followers,  pardon — 
and  to  the  foreign  legion,  free  passage  home!  " 

She  uttered  the  words  defiantly  and  the  shadow 
of  a  cloud  passed  over  the  faces  of  the  four  men 
with  whom  she  was  standing.  None  so  well  as 
they  knew  the  unstable  equilibrium  of  the  igno- 
rant native  soldiers  and  the  difficulty  of  preserv- 
ing discipline  among  the  foreigners,  particularly 
after  the  discouragement  of  the  recent  defeat. 
Already  there  was  trouble — cries  of  "  Home, 
home,"  rose  here  and  there,  while  others  answer- 
ing, "  Shame  "  pressed  about  the  officers,  jostling 
and  crowding  the  girl.  Here  and  there  a  hand 
stretched  out  to  pluck  at  her  cloak,  and  Clayton, 
though  irritated  by  the  girl's  thoughtlessness, 


60    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

grasped  a  sword  and  stood  beside  her,  keeping 
back  the  crowd. 

"  Eh,  Sefiors — we  have  children,  wives — why 
should  we  not  go  home?  "  said  a  peon. 

Another  voice  took  up  the  complaint.    It  camef' 
from  a  renegade  Spaniard — an  officer. !: 

"Bah,    yes— we    are   thras&ed, /> beaten;1  #ty 
should  we-stayf"'^  «»  !»««  ,biB9rf  -joibloa  v;i'r/> 
i*Phei 'girl's  eyes  sparkled:    She  Wa^  accomplish- 
ing her  dreams— again  caine  her  clear  bell-like 
voice!  !f>rno/f  Dgrtagjsq  oo'il  <noi*»9l  n^io-io}  oil)  ot  btiR 

•^Voibiaft6ilt  Liberator;  ;fl1'D*feia!tei?^'J^«  ^>lia 

"  Vraiment,"  sard  Du  Plessls,  ^ she  will  rd\is<l> 
a  mutiny."    He  advanced  toward  her  fakea  *schbol 
master  about  to  shake  a  disobedient  pupil.  f|  -  L^^ 

^'Stand  back,"  said 'Clayton 

vjl)  Liberator  looked  at 
her  alone,"  he  said,  " 
oli  "    1o 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  61 

The  officer  looked  at  her  smilingly. 

"  No  men  shot,  no  women  whipped,  no  children 
starving  in  a  land  of  plenty?"  he  said. 

A  shade  of  doubt  crossed  the  girl's  face  and 
she  answered  less  confidently. 

"  Why  yes — there  were,  Senor — but  that  must 
always  be  so." 

The  camp  was  listening  intently  to  the  dia- 
logue, but  the  silence  was  interrupted.  Donna 
Isabella,  Seuorita  Maria  and  Francisco,  again 
lost  and  wandering  in  a  circle  had  stumbled  on 
the  camp  and  had  been  challenged  by  the  sen- 
tinels who  were  bringing  them  in. 

"  Eh,  Jesu !  "  said  Inez  to  Clayton,  "  think  of 
something,  so  they  will  not  speak,  if  they  recog- 
nize me!"  Her  expressive  gestures  accentuated 
the  words. 

Clayton  pointed  to  the  hut  and  Inez  quickly 
and  unperceived  by  her  friends,  vanished  within. 
As  Clayton  turned,  after  seeing  that  the  girl  was 
free  from  observation,  Francisco  was  volubly  ex- 
plaining that  they  had  been  lost  in  the  jungle  and 
that  after  wandering  for  a  long  time  in  a  circle, 
had  stumbled  on  the  camp.  His  explana- 


62    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

tions  were  interrupted  by  fresh  challenges  from 
the  sentinels  and  in  another  minute,  a  soldier 
came  toward  the  table  at  which  the  officers  were 
seated,  carrying  Carmen  in  his  arms. 

"  See,  they  have  burnt  her  feet,"  he  said. 

The  soldier  was  Valdez,  Carmen's  father,  half 
Indian,  half  Creole,  who  had  left  his  child  in  the 
village  to  join  the  expedition.  His  eyes  gleamed 
vengefully  on  the  prisoners  as  they  listened  to 
the  child's  description  of  the  barbarous  treat- 
ment given  her  by  Romero,  who  had  stumbled  on 
her  as  she  was  carrying  food  to  Clayton,  and  of 
her  rescue  at  the  latter's  hands. 

"  Ma  foi,"  said  Du  Plessis,  "  it  would  be  jus- 
tice poetical  to  make  them,"  he  indicated  the 
prisoners,  "  dance  a  rigoletto  on  hot  coals  also." 

His  words,  scarcely  intended  to  be  taken  liter- 
ally, were  caught  up  in  dead  earnest  by  the 
crowding  soldiers,  "  Burn  them !  Si,  si,  burn 
them ! "  they  said.  Inez  covered  her  face  with 
her  hands  in  the  darkness  of  the  hut  and  shud- 
dered. 

Of  a  sudden  she  started,  an  expression  of  won- 
der and  of  unbelief  crossed  her  features  as  she 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  63 

heard  II  Diablo,  the  Arch  Traitor,  sternly  re- 
buking his  men  and  the  next  instant,  as  she 
peered  out  through  a  chink  in  the  hut,  saw 
him,  together  with  Clayton,  Gordon  and  Du 
Plessis,  keeping  back  the  infuriated  mob  of  the 
camp  while  he  permitted  his  prisoners  to  with- 
draw. 

"  God  in  heaven,"  murmured  the  girl.  "  In 
like  case,  our  people  would  have  killed  them  with- 
out mercy."  Outside  an  angry  voice  was  railing 
at  II  Liberator.  Once  more  looking  through  the 
chink  in  the  wall  she  noticed  that  the  speaker 
was  Gomez,  a  Spaniard — a  former  officer  of  the 
Vice  Eoy. 

"  Pah,  you  are  a  poltroon  to  let  them  go.  You 
— a  leader!  I  believe  that  woman,"  he  meant 
Maria,  "  was  the  Vice  Roy's  ward — he  has  one — 
they  say  she  is  in  the  village.  Did  you  notice  her 
dress?  You — a  leader!  You  are  milk  and  water 
— such  a  prize  as  she  would  have  been — such  a 
hostage  to  save  our  necks — bah,  let  us  go  home !  " 

"  I  make  no  war  on  women,"  said  the  General. 

"  Well,  where  is  the  list  of  our  friends,  the 
people  that  were  to  join  us — the  great  plan — the 


64    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

victory — we  are  beaten — rotting  in  the  jungle, 
let  us  go  home !  " 

Inez  came  to  the  door  of  the  hut.  In  spite  of 
herself,  her  sympathies  were  with  the  General. 

II  Liberator  held  out  a  paper  to  the  officer. 
"  Here,  here/'  said  he,  "  is  the  list  of  our  ad- 
herents— read  for  yourself !  " 

Gomez  snatched  it  and  ran  to  the  outskirts  of 
the  camp. 

"  Kead  it,  read  it,"  he  cried,  "  yes — but  to  the 
Vice  Roy.  It's  a  passport  to  safety  and  a  for- 
tune. I  desert!  Who  is  with  me?" 

"  I  " — and  "  I  " — cried  one  and  another. 
"  Home  " — "  Home  " — they  shouted.  "  Seize  him 
also,  who  has  brought  us  here ! " 

The  expedition  was  in  open  mutiny.  Only 
Gordon,  Du  Plessis  and  Clayton  stood  by  the 
General.  Suddenly  Clayton  rushed  to  the  fire, 
seized  a  burning  brand  and  ran  to  the  cannon. 
In  front  of  it  stood  the  huddled  group  of  the 
mutineers ;  on  the  left,  the  General  with  Du  Pies- 
sis  and  Gordon. 

"  Back,"  cried  the  American,  "  Back,  you  curs, 
or  I  fire  into  the  midst  of  you." 


"Back  cried  the  American.     Back,  you  curs,  or  I  fire.1 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  65 

The  advancing  soldiers  looked  at  Gomez  for 
encouragement  he  laughed  tauntingly. 

"  Come  on — I  desert — who  is  with  me?  "  he 
cried,  and  disappeared  in  the  bushes. 

"  I  stand  by  II  Liberator,"  cried  Clayton. 

The  girl  looked  at  him.  She  must — she  would 
— save  this  gallant  American,  who  so  appealed 
to  her,  from  a  mistake. 

"  Senor,  seiior,"  she  cried,  coming  from  the 
hut,  "  eh,  you  are  an  envoy — do  not  throw  in 
your  lot  with  them — eh,  let  me  persuade  you." 

Clayton  was  roused,  however;  discretion,  his 
position,  all  told  him  the  girl  was  right,  but  the 
cowardly  mutiny,  the  treachery  of  Gomez,  his 
sympathy  for  the  General,  his  liking  for  Gordon 
and  Du  Plessis,  his  treatment  by  the  Spanish,  had 
roused  all  his  American  and  Kentucky- American 
recklessness. 

"  Envoy,  no  longer,  I  send  my  resignation  in 
the  morning,"  he  shouted,  "  I'm  in  this  thing  now 
to  a  finish — persuade  me — never ! " 

"  Home,  home,"  shouted  back  the  soldiers. 

"  Back,  you  curs !  "  yelled  Clayton.  "  Back ! 
This  man — "  he  pointed  to  II  Liberator,  "  is  a 


66    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

soldier,  a  gentleman — he  scorns  to  speak  to  you 
—listen !  " 

His  vigor,  the  magnetism  of  the  natural  orator, 
silenced  them  and  Clayton  continued,  and  as  he 
spoke,  the  girl,  as  though  compelled  against  her 
will,  came  from  the  hut  and  drew  nearer  and 
nearer  to  him,  while  the  cries  of  the  camp  became 
murmurs  and  then  silence,  and  at  last  roars  of 
enthusiastic  approval,  for  it  was  1821  and  oratory 
was  not  yet  a  lost  art,  and  oratory  has  always 
ruled  the  Latins,  while  Kentucky  oratory  was 
then  ruling  the  United  States  and  Clayton  was  a 
Kentuckian. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  67 


CHAPTER  V. 

.  '.'•  A  SPEECH  THAT  MADE  AN  ALLY. 

"  LISTEN,"  said  Clayton.  "  Two  weeks  ago,  II 
Liberator  landed,  after  years  of  absence.  With 
him  these  soldiers  of  fortune,  some  of  the  rest  of 
you  joined  him — he  came  at  your  invitation — 
well — you  were  five  hundred — the  Spanish  many 
thousand— you  were  surprised,  you  were  beaten." 

"Home,  home,"  cried  the  soldiers. 

•'Listen  !  Under  his  leadership,  you  scattered, 
to  meet  again — to  recruit  your  forces  under  the 
waving  grass  tops,  bending  under  the  flying 
shadow,  concealing  you  in  the  midst  of  your 
enemies." 

"  But  the  Spanish  offer  terms." 

"  Terms — listen — You  say  that  Spain  offers 
terms.  In  1811,11  Liberator  was  of  those  who 
freed  Venezuela.  The  next  year  an  earthquake 


68      THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

and  the  Spanish  army  drove  him  into  exile. 
Listen — the  next  year  he  came  back  again. 
Again  he  fought,  again  he  was  defeated — Spain 
promised  his  officers,  as  Spain  has  promised  you, 
pardon,  justice,  liberty !  Her  pardon,  gentle- 
men, was  the  gallows  ;  her  justice,  assassination  ; 
her  liberty,  murder !  Terms !  Those  are  her 
terms ! " 

"Jesu! — "  said  the  girl — "he  is  speaking  the 
truth — but  why  should  he  fight  at  all  ?  " 

The  American  caught  the  words  and  as  if  in 
reply,  continued — 

"There  are  those  who  ask  why  he  should  fight 
at  all.  Listen — in  all  South  America,  gentlemen, 
education  is  forbidden,  free  speech  unknown.  It 
is  death  to  make  flour  of  one's  own  wheat,  death 
to  wear  a  ribbon  not  made  in  Spain.  It  is  death 
even  to  read  Gil  Bias,  death  to  read  the  children's 
book,  'Robinson  Crusoe.'  Bah — why  should  he 
not  fight?" 

The  camp  was  still  now — the  men  leaning  for- 
ward eagerly,  listening.  The  girl  was  also  ab- 
sorbed, fascinated  by  the  speaker's  words. 

"  But  he  is  rich,  ambitious,"  she  said. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  69 

"  Rich,  ambitious  !  He  ^tofi&&£  m:an1[in 
South  America.  He  could'  have  kept  those  riches. 
He  could  have  had  any  gift  in  the!  pbwer  of  Spain 
to  grant.  But,  Senors,  he1  left  ;his  estate's  #y  ^tne' 
singing  Guayra.  He  endured  poverty:  He  f  r'e&f 
his  slaves.  He  went  into  e^le.  -He' 
fortune  to  'the  cause.'  '  He1 
ish  general, 
he  rich—  ambitious'?^11  UOI  ^taod  is  a§B-/7filB98  007, 

"  Madre  a  Dios,  he  is  a  man,  a  hero  ! 
girl's 
smiled  a 

^it^t^la^fti^'J^^^d^  ^qfiiSi§a%lg  "fie 
fife  feB^  IdffeifbrWis^enee"1  ^'ofl  bflA  " 

"  You  say  because  he 

i  iet  weafe  ." 
cotomatatej  i 


Sou6h  Aittetifca^^  9ili   ,639  Y  9ifi  ^o   lB)iqBO  orli 
"  Ah,"  said  the  girl,  "  I  believe  it  is  tr 

ta-iorio8 


fight  the  fight  alone.     Will  you  desert  him  or  go 


70    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

home?  To  your  homes,  the  road  is  free,  the  path- 
way easy!  But  eh,  Senors!  adventurers!  you 
English  younger  sons,  if  you  love  to  back  the 
weaker  party;  you  exiled  gentlemen  of  France, 
who  have  fought  beneath  every  flag  but  your 
own  for  twenty  years;  you  Irishmen  who  were 
out  in  '98  and  you,  my  countrymen,  you  runaway 
boys  from  West  Point,  you  sailors  without  a  ship, 
you  scalawags  at  home,  you  heroes  abroad,  do  not 
go  home ! " 

A  roar  of  enthusiasm  swept  the  camp.  The 
mutiny  was  forgotten,  the  day  was  won ! 

Du  Plessis  spoke  as  the  cheering  subsided. 

"And  now,  mon  General — the  plan  of  cam- 
paign, when,  whither?" 

"  Senors,"  said  II  Liberator,  "  it  is  to  march, 
fifteen  hundred  miles  across  the  continent  and 
fall  like  a  thunderbolt  on  the  City  of  the  Hills, 
the  capital  of  the  Vega,  the  key  to  the  con- 
tinent ! " 

"  But,  Senors,  Senors — "  interrupted  a  voice, 
"  between  that  and  us  is  tropical  jungle,  fever, 
pestilence  and  famine;  beyond,  the  Andes,  glitter- 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  71 

ing  with  ice  and  snow — and  still  beyond,  a  Span- 
ish array;  here,  a  defile  guarded  by  cannon ;  there, 
a  pass,  that  ten  men  could  hold  against  an  army 
— and  your  friends  who  might  help  you,  all 
known  to  the  Vice  Roy  if  Gomez  reaches  him  with 
the  list." 

"  To  prevent  that," —  It  was  II  Liberator  who 
spoke —  "  we,  the  army  of  Liberty,  need  a  spy — " 

"  A  spy ! "  the  exclamation  came  from  Inez — 
II  Liberator  turned  to  her  smiling. 

"  Senorita — I  know  you — I  knew  you  when 
you  first  entered  the  camp.  I  have  watched  over 
you  for  years.  Your  father  was  my  friend,  a 
patriot.  I  have  heard  of  you,  heard  of  your  pleas 
for  mercy.  Heard  that  in  the  Vice  Roy's  pres- 
ence, you  have  asked  for  gentler  measures.  I 
have  had  you  in  mind  for  months — felt  you  should 
be  of  us.  You  are  of  us — you  were  born  in  the 
country.  I  have  wanted  to  see  you,  for — Se* 
norita — we  need  a  spy !  " 

"  A  spy — "  The  girl  half  murmured  the  words. 
Her  bosom  rose  and  fell  with  excitement. 

Again  came  the  wonderful  voice  of  II  Libera- 


72    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

tor,  whose  fascination  created  armies  and  fash- 
ioned three  nations. 

"  Some  one  who  will  reach  the  City  of  the  Hills 
before  us,  someone  who  pities  the  murdered  men, 
the  tortured  women,  the  little  children.  Some 
one  to  give  us  information,  to  tell  what  passes 
are  guarded,  what  insecure.  If  a  beggar  comes 
asking  alms,  to  listen  to  him ;  if  he  wants  infor- 
mation, to  give  it  to  him ;  some  one  of  lofty  sta- 
tion, near  to  the  government,  unsuspected,  un- 
afraid, a  woman,  a  spy,  a  heroine — who,  Senorita, 
who?" 

The  eyes  of  the  camp  were  on  her,  the  girl 
seemed  to  grow  in  stature;  her  rough  cloak 
slipped  from  her  shoulders. 

"  Jesu !  I  have  seen  a  great  light !  I  would 
hear  more ! "  she  said. 

II  Liberator  whispered  to  Du  Plessis. 

"  What !  Wonderful !  "  said  the  Frenchman, 
evidently  startled.  "  Will  you  not  tell  her?  " 

"  Not  now ! "  said  II  Liberator.  Then  he 
turned  to  the  girl. 

"  Listen !  "  he  said. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  73 

That  afternoon,  Inez  y  Perdita  Diaz,  ward  of 
the  Vice  Roy  of  the  King,  who  had  desired  to 
meet  II  Liberator  to  persuade  him  of  his  errors, 
pledged  her  word  to  act  as  II  Liberator's  spy. 


PART  II. 

HOW  THEY  BROKE  AND  MADE  BETROTHALS 
AND  HOW  A  PRISONER  WON  A  REPRIEVE. 


CHAPTER  I. 

"  A  BEGGAR  FROM  THE  MOUNTAINS." 

IT  was  the  anniversary  of  the  battle.  A  yi-ar 
had  passed  and  for  the  better  portion  of  the 
time  the  little  Vice-Regal  court  had  held  its  state 
among  the  mountains. 

On  the  return  of  Romero,  Francisco  and  the 
others  to  the  village,  the  Spanish  had  sent  out 
a  column  to  find  and  disperse  the  rebels,  but  the 
latter  had  vanished.  Only  the  remains  of  the 
camp  were  found  and  the  Vice  Roy,  though  sus- 
picious, had  finally  agreed  with  his  officers  that 
II  Liberator  and  his  followers  had  either  departed 
from  the  country  or  had  died  of  fever  in  the 
jungle  and  that  another  period  of  quiet  had  inter- 
vened in  that  strange  war  of  twenty  years,  that 
now  blazed  in  fury  and  now  smoldered  and  now 
died  away  altogether. 

77 


Leaving  a  strong  force  of  soldiers,  therefore, 
at  the  village,  the  Vice  Koy,  with  his  staff,  his 
household  and  his  ward,  hurried  swiftly  as  his 
means  of  conveyance  permitted  across  the  breadth 
of  the  continent,  going  in  a  stately  procession  of 
barges,  rowed  by  Indians,  up  one  great  river  and 
down  another,  then  by  mule  back  and  palanquin 
until  he  reached  the  City  of  the  Hills,  the  Capital, 
where  he  set  about  punishing  those  suspected 
of  complicity  in  the  rebellion. 

Day  in  and  out,  men  were  taken  in  the  street 
or  from  their  homes,  hurried  before  a  eourtmar- 
tial  and,  after  a  farcical  trial,  shot.  Some  were 
tortured  to  tell  what  they  knew  and  some  were 
killed  without  even  a  pretense  of  trial  and  Se- 
norita  Inez,  suddenly  grown  older  and  graver, 
heartsick  of  all  she  saw  and  grown  wiser  as  to 
the  meaning  of  the  Revolution,  never  for  an  in- 
stant regretted  the  task  she  had  assumed  in 
answer  to  the  arguments  of  "  II  Liberator." 

Now  and  then,  mysterious  messengers  knocked 
at  her  lattice,  now  and  then  she  even  wore  the 

revolutionary  colors  in  her  dress.     It  was  on  the 
day  of  execution,   but   beautiful,   brilliant  and 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  79 

high-spirited,  she  was  unsuspected,  though  in- 
doors and  out  she  seemed  never  able  to  find  her- 
self alone,  but  she  danced  with  the  young  officers, 
she  flirted  with  the  old  and  from  one  and  another, 
gleaned  the  information  that  by  bouquets  of 
flowers,  by  a  ring,  by  many  devices,  she  conveyed 
to  messengers  to  be  carried  through  the  moun- 
tains to  the  advancing  army  and  to  Senor  Thomas 
Clayton. 

As  yet,  all  had  gone  well  and  but  one  thing 
worried  her,  the  possible  advent  of  Gomez  with 
the  list  stolen  from  the  Liberator's  camp,  but 
as  the  weeks  lengthened  to  months  and  he  did  not 
appear,  she  began  to  think  that  all  was  safe  and 
that  the  traitor  had  probably  perished. 

It  was  the  Vice  Roy's  custom  to  hold  councils 
of  his  officers  in  the  evening  and  on  this  night 
before  the  day  of  the  anniversary  of  the  battle, 
the  council  was  so  prolonged  that  it  was  nearly 
dawn  before  it  was  completed,  so  the  Vice  Roy 
announced  his  intention  of  not  retiring,  but  of 
going  to  early  mass. 

Senorita  Inez  had  also  made  her  plans  for  early 
mass,  to  which  her  friend  Maria,  the  betrothed 


8o    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

of  Francisco,  and  still  jealous  of  Inez,  had  agreed 
to  accompany  her.  So  Inez  came  in  to  the  coun- 
cil room  just  as  the  meeting  of  the  officers  was 
about  to  adjourn. 

Just  outside  its  broad  latticed  windows  was  a 
balcony  and  below  the  street  and  as  Inez  stood 
for  a  moment  at  the  door,  a  watchman  passed 
below,  carrying  a  lantern  on  the  end  of  a  long 
pole,  whose  light  flickered  across  the  windows  as 
he  cried,  "  Sereno — Sereno !  "  A  knock  sounded 
at  the  broad  door  of  entrance,  opposite  to  that 
at  which  stood  the  girl — a  servant  entered. 

"  Your  excellency,  a  ragged  fellow  without 
would  speak  with  you." 

A  premonition  that  perhaps  this  was  Gomez 
made  Inez  start. 

"  Let  him  attend  at  eleven,"  said  the  Vice  Roy. 
"  At  the  morning  council  when  we  welcome  the 
American  Commissioner  sent  by  President  Mon- 
roe— at  present,  we  go  to  mass.  Inez !  " 

"  I  wait,"  said  she,  "  Senorita  Maria  Mercedes 
Mendoza  calls  for  me." 

The  Vice  Roy  and  his  officers  bowed  with 
stately  courtesy  and  withdrew,  while,  from  with- 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  81 

out,  again  came  the  voice  of  the  watchman,  "  Se- 
reno — Sereno — the  Vice  Roy  goes  to  mass." 

"  Donna  Isabella,"  said  the  girl,  speaking  to 
her  duenna,  who  was  in  the  next  room,  "  Are 
you  not  ready?" 

"  In  a  minute,"  replied  the  old  lady,  "  what 
of  the  day?" 

"  Sereno,"  said  the  girl,  quoting  the  watchman, 
"  and  the  Vice  Roy  goes  to  mass." 

Scarcely  had  the  words  left  her  lips  when  there 
resounded  from  without,  shots,  yells  and  the 
sound  of  some  one  escaping.  The  next  moment, 
a  man's  figure,  dressed  in  the  hat  and  cloak  of 
a  beggar,  appeared  in  the  balcony  just  without 
the  lattice.  Fearing  that  it  was  one  of  II  Libera- 
tor's messengers  pursued  by  the  patrol,  the  girl 
swiftly  crossed  the  room. 

"  Jesu,  senor,  who  are  you?  "  she  said. 

The  next  moment  she  gave  a  cry,  half  of  terror, 
half  of  delight,  as  she  recognized  beneath  the 
cloak  and  hat,  the  face  and  figure  of  Clayton. 

"  Eh,  Jesu !  "  she  said.    "  What  recklessness !  " 

Clayton  spoke  hurriedly,  breathlessly — 

"  The  army  is  already  in  the  Andes,  the  foreign 


82    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

legion  already  just  above  the  city.  Between  the 
detachments,  cannon  have  been  placed,  they  will 
be  captured  this  evening.  Valdez,  Carmen  and 
I  were  sent  ahead  to  warn  you.  We  stumbled 
into  the  patrol.  Carmen  they  did  not  touch, 
Valdez  is  captured.  I  escaped  in  the  darkness 
here.  To-morrow,  two  red  lights  burnt  in  succes- 
sion from  the  prison  of  the  Capucins,  which  com- 
mands the  hills,  will  mean,  all  is  ready  and  the 
army  will  descend." 

As  he  spoke,  suddenly  the  sun  came  over  the 
Andes  with  a  rush,  for  near  the  equator,  there 
is  no  lingering  dawn.  The  bell  of  the  cathedral 
began  to  ring,  below  in  the  street  came  the  shuf- 
fling sound  of  bearers  with  a  palanquin. 

"  It  is  probably  Maria,"  said  the  girl.  "  Here, 
hide,  and  later — "  but  Clayton  stepped  back  and 
hid  in  the  folds  of  the  curtain  that  descended  to 
the  floor  to  the  left  of  the  lattice. 

A  voice  sounded  from  the  street — 

"  Take  me  up  there." 

In  another  minute,  two  negroes,  carrying  a 
light  palanquin,  appeared  in  the  balcony. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  83 


CHAPTER  II. 

HOW  A  BETEOTHAL  WAS  BROKEN. 

FROM  between  the  curtains  of  the  palanquin 
appeared  the  face  of  Maria. 

"  Eh,  Jesu,"  said  she,  ft  Donna  Isabella  not 
ready?"  Then  to  the  bearers — "Wait  below." 

The  men  shuffled  off.  Inez  turned  anxiously 
toward  the  palanquin  which  had  been  left  in  the 
middle  of  the  floor,  only  the  curtains  on  one  side, 
that  toward  Inez  could  be  opened,  so  while  Maria 
remained  within,  Clayton  could  not  be  perceived. 
As  Inez  stood  hesitating,  the  sound  of  a  guitar 
sounded  without  and  the  voice  of  one  singing. 

"Eh,  what?"  said  Maria.  "Francisco  seren- 
ading you — shameful !  " 

The  singing  grew  louder.  As  it  did  so,  Donna 
Isabella  appeared  at  an  inner  door,  half  dressed, 
her  hair  in  curl  papers. 


84    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  Inez,  Inez,"  said  she.  "  The  girl  cannot  do 
my  hair,  she  is  an  imbecile — will  the  Vice  Roy's 
ward?" 

Should  Donna  Isabella  advance  a  foot  fur- 
ther, Clayton  would  be  discovered,  so  Inez,  trust- 
ing to  luck  that  Maria  would  stay  in  her  palan- 
quin and  that  Francisco,  once  his  song  was  con- 
cluded, would  go  away,  hurried  across  the  room 
to  the  duenna  and  taking  her  arm,  led  her  through 
the  door.  As  she  did  so,  she  made  a  warning 
gesture  to  Clayton  to  seize  the  opportunity  to 
escape. 

Francisco,  however,  did  not  go  away,  but  be- 
gan to  improvise — 

"  Oh,  dearest  Inez,  here  I  come  singing, 
Oh,  dearest  Inez,  here  I  come  bringing, 
Oh,  dearest  Inez,  Inez—" 

As  there  was  no  response  from  the  balcony, 
he  began  to  mount  the  steps,  but  his  voice  broke 
on  the  high  note  and  from  all  sides,  shutters 
opened  with  a  slam  and  night-capped  heads  ap- 
peared while  the  wrathful  voices  of  a  people, 
always  famous  for  their  musical  taste,  cried  to 
him,  "  Learn  to  sing !  " 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  85 

Somewhat  abashed,  he  entered  the  balcony  and 
noticing  the  palanquin,  jumped  to  the  conclusion 
that  Inez  was  within  waiting  for  her  bearers. 

"  Ah,  most  beauteous  Seiiorita,"  said  he.  "  I 
kiss  your  feet,  your  beautiful  little  feet." 

As  he  arrived  at  the  last  foot  of  his  salutation, 
he  perceived  the  malicious  face  of  his  betrothed, 
gazing  at  him  from  the  curtains. 

"  Oh,  the  devil,"  he  cried,  all  taken  aback. 

"  I  am  not,"  said  Maria  indignantly.  "  I  am 
your  betrothed  on  my  way  to  early  mass,  to  pray 
for  my  enemies  in  all  Christian  charity."  Her 
voice  was  meek  as  a  cooing  dove's  when  she 
reached  the  last  words,  but  her  eyes  gleamed 
dangerously. 

"  Ah,"  said  Francisco,  sanctimoniously.  "  I 
was  singing  a  morning  hymn." 

"  Pah,  how  you  lie ! " 

"  Oh,  your  nerves,  your  beautiful  little  nerves, 
how  they  jangle,"  rattled  Francisco.  By  this 
time,  he  had  come  quite  to  the  center  of  the  room 
and  Clayton,  though  hugely  amused,  thought  he 
might  possibly  slip  away,  and  softly  as  a  cat  he 
began  to  edge  around  the  corner  of  the  window. 


86    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"Nerves?"  said  Maria.  "That  for  nerves!" 
She  snapped  her  fingers.  "  Our  betrothal  ends — 
here,  now !  Take  your  ring,  take  it  to  Inez ! " 
She  tore  the  ring  from  her  finger,  a  beautiful  one, 
composed  of  an  emerald,  a  topaz  and  a  ruby,  and 
threw  it  to  Francisco.  The  latter  caught  it  as 
it  flashed  in  the  sunlight  and  at  the  same  instant 
perceived  Clayton.  He  looked  at  him  a  moment 
in  open-mouthed  astonishment.  Clayton,  how- 
ever, was  quick-witted,  and  pulling  his  great  hat 
further  over  his  face,  extended  his  hands  as 
though  in  supplication,  while  he  whined  in  the 
tone  of  a  true  mendicant — 

"  Alms,  gentle  people,  alms !  " 

"  Madre  a  dios,"  said  Maria,  "  where  have  I 
heard  that  voice  and  who  is  he — from  whence 
comes  he?  " 

"  From  the  streets,"  said  Francisco,  completely 
deceived.  "  A  beggar — they  are  always  skulking 
here."  A  thought  struck  him  and  he  turned  to 
Clayton.  "  Eh — a  bauble  for  you."  He  tossed 
him  Maria's  ring,  then  curled  his  mustache  and 
looked  superciliously  at  the  girl. 

"  Muchos  gracias,"  whined  Clayton. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  87 

"  You  scoundrel,"  hissed  Maria  to  Francisco, 
for,  woman-like,  she  did  not  care  to  lose  beyond 
recall,  the  ring  she  had  so  lightly  thrown  aside. 
Francisco  now  concluded  that  he  had  been  the 
mark  of  Maria's  anger  long  enough,  and  that  it 
was  time  to  assert  himself. 

"  Eh — Senorita,"  said  he,  "  you  go  too  far.  I 
will  give  my  alms  where  I  will,  I  will  sing  to 
whom  I  choose,  I  will  send  what  I  please  to  whom- 
soever I  desire ! " 

At  this  declaration  of  independence,  Maria 
leaped  from  her  palanquin  in  a  rage. 

"  Infamous,"  said  she.  "  Infamous,  not  an- 
other minute  in  this  place."  And  almost  in 
hysterics,  she  walked  to  the  door,  stamping  her 
little  heels  at  every  step  and  muttering  all  sorts 
of  anathemas  against  Inez  and  Francisco,  while 
the  latter,  somewhat  disturbed,  followed  her, 
picking  up  one  after  another,  her  mantilla,  her 
handkerchief  and  a  rose  from  her  hair  which  she 
dropped  in  her  career.  In  a  moment,  they  had 
both  left  the  room,  leaving  Clayton. 


88    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 


CHAPTER  III. 

COLONEL  GOMEZ  BLUNDERS. 

FOR  a  moment  Clayton  listened  to  the  retreat- 
ing voices,  then  turned  to  greet  Inez,  who,  having 
disposed  of  Donna  Isabella,  entered,  as  the 
voices  of  Maria  and  Francisco  died  away  in  the 
distance.  As  she  crossed  the  room,  a  ray  of  sun- 
light fell  full  upon  her. 

"  She's  the  prettiest  sight,"  thought  Clayton, 
"  in  all  South  America." 

"  Ah,  my  dear,  my  dear — "  she  was  saying,  all 
reserve  thrown  away  in  the  relief  of  finding  him 
unrecognized.  "  I  am  so  happy  you  are  here,  so 
glad  you  are  here." 

"  I  am  come  for  my  betrothed,"  he  said. 

"  Eh,  carramba,  but  you  are  sudden.  Eh — 
the  etiquette  is,  you  should  make  proposals  to  the 
Vice  Roy." 


"Eh,  the  cold  northerner  !   Oh,  the  impassive  Yankee  !  " 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  89 

"And  be  hanged,"  said  Clayton. 

"  Eh,  yes — would  it  not  be  worth  while — eh, 
but  your  ways  are  strange." 

"  Adopt  them,"  said  Clayton. 

He  had  dreamt  of  this  moment  by  wild  camp- 
fires,  in  the  damp  of  the  jungle,  the  cold  of  the 
Andes,  and  was  bound  on  carrying  his  point. 

"  Eh,  Senor — ah,  my  soul, — ah !  what  is  hap- 
pening to  me?  "  said  the  girl. 

She  swayed  toward  him  in  sudden  emotion. 
He  caught  her  in  his  arms  and  kissed  her  again 
and  again,  while  she,  half  laughing,  made  but 
small  protest  except  to  whisper ! 

"  Eh,  the  cold  northerner !  oh,  the  impassive 
Yankee!  oh,  shameful,  I  made  the  first  pro- 
posal ! " 

The  house  was  very  still ;  from  the  street  came 
now  and  then  the  shuffle  of  feet,  the  tinkle  of 
mule  bells.  The  great  white  peaks  of  the  Andes 
glittered  above  the  opposite  roofs.  To  Tom  and 
Inez,  war  and  rumors  of  war  were  forgotten. 
The  deep  tones  of  Tom,  the  silvery  exclamations 
of  Inez,  all  of  other  things,  of  more  intimate 
things  than  "  II  Liberator  "  or  the  Vice  Roy  filled 


90    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

the  flying  moments,  but  outside  at  the  foot  of  the 
steps  leading  to  the  balcony,  in  the  sunny  shad- 
owless  street,  crouched  a  child,  her  face  white, 
her  hair  tangled.  Now  as  a  soldier  or  a  priest 
passed  her  she  pressed  against  the  wall,  trying  to 
make  herself  as  inconspicuous  as  possible,  but  as 
a  long  string  of  mules  carrying  silver,  came  clat- 
tering through  the  narrow  way,  she  rose  and  sped 
rapidly  up  the  steps  into  the  balcony  and  then 
to  the  room. 

It  was  Carmen,  the  child  Clayton  had  rescued 
the  year  before  and  who  had  accompanied  her 
father,  Valdez,  in  the  long  march  across  the  con- 
tinent and  had  come  with  him  into  the  city,  as  it 
was  thought  her  presence  would  serve  to  better 
disguise  them. 

"  Senor — Senorita,"  she  cried  imploringly, 
"  what  of  Valdez,  my  father — you,  Senorita,  you 
can  surely  save  him,"  for  the  cjiild  knew  that 
though  she  had  gotten  safely  away  with  Clayton 
that  morning,  that  for  Valdez,  a  prisoner,  would 
probably  be  a  sudden  execution  and  time  was 
pressing. 

Just  as  she  spoke,  Clayton  was  again  imprint- 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  91 

ing  a  kiss  on  Inez'  lips  and  at  the  interruption, 
he  sprang  away. 

"  Oh,  nice  day,  isn't  it?  "  he  said. 

The  words  "  nice  day  "  caught  Inez'  attention 
and  all  the  perils  by  which  they  were  surrounded 
crowded  upon  her  imagination. 

"  Eh — Jesu !  "  she  said,  "  a  nice  day — all  sereno 
and  the  Vice  Roy  goes  to  mass,  you  in  danger, 
Valdez  about  to  be  shot,  II  Liberator  in  the  Andes 
— eh,  yes — a  nice  day !  " 

"  I  only  meant,"  said  Clayton,  "  oh,  I  don't 
know  what  I  meant !  But  see  here,  cheer  up — we 
will  save  Valdez  somehow.  Gomez  never  has 
brought  the  list  and  only  give  us  a  dark  night  and 
the  Liberator  will  be  here  and  our  troubles  over." 

A  roll  of  drums  and  the  clang  of  trumpets 
echoed  from  the  street.  As  Inez  heard  them,  a 
cloud  of  fear  seemed  for  a  minute  to  descend  on 
her  brave  spirits.  Perhaps  the  very  presence  of 
Clayton  made  her  feel  more  keenly  the  responsi- 
bility resting  on  her  girlish  shoulders. 

"  The  guard  is  changing,"  she  said,  in  answer 
to  Clayton's  look  of  interrogation.  "  Mass  is 
nearly  over.  Then  they  will  ask  Valdez  to  con- 


92    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

fess,  then  shoot  him.  Gomez  never  has  come  to 
the  city,  but  I  feel  that  he  is  waiting,  waiting 
like  a  tarantula — I  feel  it  in  my  bones.  A  dark 
night!  These  days  are  dark  enough  and  death 
comes  shuffling  through  the  dark.  Jesu !  "  She 
ended  with  an  exclamation  of  fear,  for,  as  though 
in  answer  to  her  prophecy,  a  step  came  shuffling 
down  the  corridor  beyond  the  great  door  of  en- 
trances, while  the  voice  of  a  servant,  announced, 
"Colonel  Gomez!" 

Like  a  startled  humming-bird,  Carmen  flew 
across  the  room,  and  through  the  door  leading  to 
the  rooms  beyond,  while  Clayton  dived  into 
Maria's  palanquin  and  drew  the  curtains. 

The  servant  had  made  his  first  announcement  a 
little  way  down  the  corridor  from  the  entrance. 
By  the  time  he  reached  the  door,  only  Inez  could 
be  perceived  and  she  stood  hesitating  as  to  what 
course  to  pursue. 

"  He  has  flowers — a  message  from  Lieutenant 
Francisco,"  continued  the  servant. 

"Let  him  wait!" 

As  she  spoke,  she  knotted  her  handkerchief  into 
a  mob-cap,  tore  her  mantilla  from  her  shoulders 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  93 

and  began  dusting  furiously — for  she  remem- 
bered that  the  year  before,  Gomez  had  seen  her 
at  the  camp  in  the  character  of  a  maid. 

Gomez,  ragged  and  footsore,  had  been  in  the 
city  nearly  a  month  and  had  tried  vainly,  time 
and  again,  either  to  see  the  Vice  Roy  or  Seuorita 
Inez,  but  always  the  servants  or  the  guards,  on  ac- 
count of  his  rags  and  poverty,  had  kept  him  from 
an  interview.  He  had  heard  from  a  stray  peon, 
during  his  wanderings,  the  strange  tale  of  the 
promise  of  the  Vice  Boy's  ward  to  act  as  a  spy 
for  II  Liberator.  That  the  poor  Creole  girl  he 
had  seen  in  the  camp  was  this  ward,  however,  he 
did  not  know.  The  idea  had  become  fixed  in  his 
mind  that  Maria,  who  had  been  brought  in  as  a 
prisoner,  was  the  beautiful  Seilorita  Inez,  who 
the  common  people  whispered  among  themselves, 
was  a  friend  of  the  Revolution. 

That  morning,  Francisco,  his  irksome  betrothal 
with  Maria  broken,  as  we  have  seen,  had  made  up 
his  mind  to  immediately  begin  court  in  earnest 
to  Inez,  and  as  the  first  move  of  the  campaign, 
wrote  a  letter  of  adoration,  couched  in  most  beau- 
tiful blank  verse,  bought  an  enormous  bouquet, 


94    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

and  seeing  Gomez  idling  in  the  street,  dispatched 
him  with  the  flowers  and  note  as  his  messenger. 
Arriving  at  the  residence,  Gomez  had  made 
known  his  errand  to  the  servant,  but  fearing  a  re- 
buff, followed  the  latter  at  a  little  distance,  as 
he  went  forward  to  announce  him,  for  Gomez 
was  determined  not  to  let  this  chance  of  the  long- 
sought  interview  escape  him. 

As  the  servant  turned  to  ask  him  to  wait, 
Gomez  brushed  him  aside  and  entered  the  room 
only  to  find,  to  his  chagrin,  a  maid,  as  he  sup- 
posed, engaged  in  dusting. 

"  Flowers  for  your  mistress,"  said  the  Colonel 
gruffly  to  the  supposed  maid,  "  call  her." 

Senorita  Inez  did  not  like  the  tone  and  for  a 
moment  forgot  her  assumed  character. 

"  Mistress?  "  said  she  haughtily. 

Gomez  looked  up  startled  at  the  voice.  In  a 
moment,  a  look  of  recognition  passed  across  his 
features,  he  remembered  her,  "  the  maid  attached 
to  the  Vice  Boy's  household,"  she  had  called  her- 
self at  the  camp. 

"  Eh,"  said  he,  "  I  have  seen  you  before  in 
II — "  he  was  about  from  habit  to  say  '  Liberator/ 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  95 

but  remembering  where  he  was,  changed  the 
epithet  to  Kenegado,  "  — in  II  Renegade's  camp," 
he  continued.  "  You  are  far  too  pretty  to  have  a 
mistress — but  call  her,  call  this  Senorita  Inez." 

"  Thank  you  for  the  compliment,  Senor,"  said 
she,  courtesying  politely,  "  shall  I  take  the  flowers 
and  the  message?  " 

For  a  moment  the  thought  entered  her  mind 
that  the  message  might  be  the  stolen  list  and  that 
fate  was  to  give  her  an  easy  possession  of  the 
document,  but  Gomez  had  no  intention  of  being 
cheated  of  his  interview.  His  face  darkened,  his 
voice  grew  harsh. 

"  No,"  he  snarled,  "  I  want  to  see  Senorita 
Inez,  I  want  to  see  the  Vice*  Roy.  I  am  in  the 
house,  here  I  stay — stay  till  I  do  see  one  or  the 
other.  Now,  you  call  your  mistress."  As  he 
spoke,  he  seized  Inez  by  the  shoulders  none  too 
gently,  whirled  her  about  and  pushed  her  from 
the  room,  then  slammed  the  door  behind  her  and 
locked  it,  then  called  through  the  closed  door — 
"  No  one  comes  through  that  door  except  your 
mistress — call  her !  " 


96    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 


CHAPTER  IV. 

SENORITA  MARIA  BARGAINS  FOR  A  LIST. 

WITH  his  hand  on  the  door-knob,  he  turned  to 
glare  about  the  seemingly  empty  room,  for  Clay- 
ton, hidden  as  we  have  described,  had  shifted  his 
position  in  his  narrow  quarters,  not  made  for  his 
inches  and  Gomez  was  at  once  on  the  alert.  His 
attention,  however,  was  diverted,  for,  from  the 
corridor  came  the  voice  of  Maria,  returning  to 
take  charge  of  her  deserted  palanquin. 

"  Don't  announce  me,  I  left  my  palanquin  here, 
my  fan  is  in  it." 

The  next  moment  she  entered,  and  Gomez, 
recognizing  her  as  the  prisoner  of  the  camp  and 
thinking  she  was  Inez,  at  once  addressed  her. 

"  Seiiorita ! " 

She  saw  a  ragged,  savage-looking  fellow,  but 
as  it  was  the  Residence,  thought  he  might  be  some 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  97 

officer  just  returned  from  the  wilderness,  so  she 
swept  a  courtesy. 

"  Senor ! " 

Gomez  advanced  toward  her,  all  eagerness. 

"  I  saw  you  in  the  rebels '  camp  a  year  ago," 
he  said.  "  I  have  a  message  for  you  from  Lieu- 
tenant Francisco — he  was  with  you  then." 

As  he  spoke,  he  softly  closed  and  locked  the 
great  entrance  doors  opposite  the  door  through 
which  he  had  pushed  Inez. 

"  Si — si,  senor,"  Maria  spoke  eagerly.  "  Let 
me  hear  it — eh — "  She  noticed  him  fumbling 
with  the  lock. 

"  What  are  you  about — " 

"  He  said  Senorita  Inez  would  welcome  it," 
said  Gomez.  "  I  mean  her  to  welcome  it  undis- 
turbed." 

At  the  word  "  Inez,"  Maria  was  aflame  in  an 
instant. 

"  Inez,  Inez — for  Inez — Bah !    Give  it  to  me !  " 

She  advanced  with  outstretched  hand.  Gomez 
held  up  a  paper,  but  stepped  away  from  her  so 
that  he  was  between  Maria  and  the  window. 

"  Not  yet,"  said  he. 


98    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  Why  not?  " 

"  The  flowers,  the  love-letter,"  he  pointed  to 
them  scornfully  as  they  lay  on  the  floor  where 
he  had  dropped  them.  "  Yes,  but  here — here  is 
another  kind  of  letter,  how  much  will  you  give 
me  for  it?  " 

"  Sanctuse  spiritu ! "  said  Maria.  "  You  are 
touched,  you  gibber — give  me  the  letter." 

"  Shall  I  take  it  to  the  Vice  Koy?  " 

"  Take  what  to  the  Vice  Roy?  " 

Gomez  looked  at  her  angrily  as  she  asked  the 
question.  A  dull  red  suffused  his  features — did 
she  think  him  a  fool?  He  would  speak  plainly. 

"  Your  warrant  for  execution.  You  are  deal- 
ing with  Colonel  Gomez — late  of  II  Liberator's 
army.  You  were  that  army's  spy;  a  camp  fol- 
lower told  me;  a  thousand  heard  you.  This — " 
he  waved,  threateningly,  the  paper  in  his  hand, 
"  is  the  list  of  his  adherents  in  the  city.  With  it  I 
can  buy  safety — pardon — mercy  from  the  Vice 
Roy — shall  I  go  to  him,  or  will  you  give  more? 
You  thought  yourself  safe.  II  Liberator  and  his 
men  all  swallowed  up  in  the  jungle — but  you  are 
not  safe.  I  am  here — if  the  people  on  this  list 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  99 

are  accused — will  you  be  unaccused — will  they 
not  accuse  you?  You  know  these  people — how 
much — you  see  I  am  here." 

Maria  could  scarcely  follow  the  rapid  words. 
Stupidly  she  repeated,  "  You  are  here.  Of  course 
you  are — I  see  you !  " 

"  Corpse  of  Abraham  !  "  fairly  shouted  Gomez. 
"  Don't  I  speak  plainly?  How  much  will  you  give 
for  it?  You  have  many  jewels,  a  pretty  little 
white  neck.  Tchick — how  the  garotte  would 
snap  it." 

"  Let  me  see  it." 

He  held  it  so  she  could  read  it. 

"  Bah,"  he  hissed,  "  who  holds  that  paper, 
holds  body  and  soul  the  ward  of  the  Vice  Roy  of 
the  king." 

"  Did  Francisco  really  send  those  flowers  by 
you  to  Inez — to — to  me?  " 

"  The  devil— yes— what  of  it?  " 

"  Carramba,  I  will  get  even — blood  of  the 
saints,  but  I  have  her — buy — yes,  I  will  buy — 
give  it  to  me! " 

"  A  small  preliminary — the  price." 


ioo    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  Bah ! — you  may  be  an  impostor — you  would 
rob  me ! " 

"  I  am  a  desperate  man,  starving,  shaking  with 
fever — in  danger  of  death.  Take  all  your  rings, 
your  gold  chain,  all  the  money  in  your  purse, — 
place  them  in  a  pile  by  the  window.  I  put  the 
paper  here,"  he  pointed  to  the  floor  near  the  pal- 
anquin. "  To-morrow  morning,  you  or  your 
lover,  will  give  me  more  money,  a  passport  out 
of  the  country.  You  can  get  it,  you  are  the  Vice 
Roy's  ward.  I  need  it.  If  I  stay  here,  some  of 
these  rascally  patriots  will  assassinate  me. 
Come,  I  will  sell  cheap — to  you — no  one  will  be 
the  wiser." 

"  Yes — yes,"  said  Maria.  As  she  spoke,  she 
hurriedly  made  a  little  heap  of  her  jewels  and 
money  by  the  window. 

Gomez  watched  her,  and  as  she  turned  toward 
him,  he  placed  the  paper  on  the  floor  by  the  pal- 
anquin. A  moment  after,  all  unperceived,  Clay- 
ton thrust  his  hand  from  the  curtains  and 
snatched  the  paper.  Meanwhile  Maria  advanced 
toward  the  palanquin,  Gomez  toward  the  win- 
dow. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  101 


CHAPTER   V. 

IT  BECOMES  NECESSARY  FOR  SENORITA  INEZ  TO  LOOK 
THROUGH    A   LATTICE. 

As  Maria  reached  the  place  where  she  had  seen 
Gomez  drop  the  paper,  she  gave  a  shriek  of  dis 
may— 

"  Thief !  Robber !  The  list  is  gone — you  have 
cheated  me — you  are  the  Devil !  "  she  cried. 

Gomez,  at  the  words,  thinking  that  she  had  the 
list  and  was  about  to  denounce  him,  made  an 
angry  exclamation  and  neglecting  the  heap  of 
jewels  and  money,  darted  through  the  open  lat- 
tice to  the  balcony  and  thence  to  the  street.  As 
he  did  so,  Inez  began  pounding  on  the  locked 
door  to  the  left,  crying — 

"  Open !  Open !  "  for  hearing  the  cries,  she 
feared  that  Clayton  had  been  discovered  and 


102    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

that  her  wits  might  be  necessary  for  both  his  sal- 
vation and  her  own.  Maria,  as  she  heard  Inez's 
voice,  rapidly  crossed  the  room  and  unlocked  the 
door. 

"  Oh,  you  dear !  "  said  she  as  it  opened.  "  What 
a  dreadful  time !  " 

"  I  heard  you  scream,  what  was  it?  " 

"  I  have  been  robbed  by  the  Devil ! " 

"  And  no  one  interfered !  " 

"  Who  should  interfere?  " 

"  Why,  why,"  said  Inez,  her  thoughts  intent 
on  Clayton,  "  Francisco  went  away  with  you." 

At  this,  Maria  suddenly  remembered  her  griev- 
ances, her  eyes  caught  the  bouquet  lying  neg- 
lected on  the  floor.  She  spitefully  stamped  upon 
it. 

"  Bah,  Francisco !  "  she  cried.  "  You  have 
robbed  me  of  him!  You  are  all  robbers  here,  a 
den  of  thieves !  I  could  assassinate  you !  " 

She  bent  over  and  snatching  up  the  bouquet, 
hurled  it  in  a  rage,  at  Inez.  Being  a  woman  and 
an  angry  one,  the  bouquet  flew  wide  of  the  mark, 
flying  straight  between  the  curtains  of  the  palan- 
quin and  disclosing  the  corner  of  Clayton's  cloak. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  103 

"  Pesta !  "  she  cried.  "  Is  he  here,  now — 
there " 

As  she  spoke,  Clayton,  knowing  he  was  discov- 
ered, stepped  from  his  place  of  concealment  and 
for  a  moment,  his  quick  wits  deserted  him.  The 
conversation  overheard,  had  made  him  for  the 
moment  almost  as  jealous  of  Francisco  as  was 
Maria  of  Inez. 

"  I  want  to  know  the  truth  of  this,"  he  said, 
turning  to  Inez.  "  About  Francisco," 

"  Jesu,  hush !  "  she  replied,  grasping  the  situa- 
tion and  in  a  panic  of  fear  for  his  safety.  "  It  is 
a  mistake !  She  is  mistaken !  "  Then  turning  to 
Maria,  whose  black  eyes  were  nearly  starting 
from  their  sockets  with  curiosity  and  surprise, 
she  continued :  "  Merely  a  beggar ;  a  poor  man 
to  whom  I  was  giving  alms." 

"  Senor  beggar,"  said  Maria,  "  your  hands  are 
very  white." 

"  Hunger  has  made  them  so,"  returned  Clay- 
ton, hoping  that  he  could  carry  on  the  deceit. 
But  Maria  was  not  to  be  deceived.  She  plucked 
aside  his  cloak  and  revealed  the  American  uni- 
form of  1820,  in  which  Tom  had  chosen  to  array 


104    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

himself  in  case  he  should  by  chance  be  arrested, 
thinking  that  the  uniform  might  help  him  to 
escape  the  fate  of  a  spy. 

" Jesu,  who  are  you?"  said  Maria. 

"  Ha,  ha ! "  laughed  Inez,  somewhat  hysteric- 
ally. "A  jest!" 

"  A  jest ! "  snapped  Maria.  "  A  man — and  in 
uniform — pah — in  your  house,  in  concealment, 
no  duenna,  oh,  shocking !  " 

"  Oh,  Maria,  believe  me,"  cried  Inez,  at  her  wits' 
end,  but  thinking  that  a  half  truth  might  still 
save  the  day.  "  He  is  an  American,  as  you  say, 
Senor  Clayton,  recently  arrived  from  the  United 
States.  He  has  important  business " 

"  In  my  palanquin,"  snapped  Maria. 

"  With — with  the  Vice  Roy ;  the  Vice  Roy  has 
said  that — that  all  Yankees  are  beggars  and  so, 
ha,  ha!  you  see,  don't  you?  " 

It  was  thin,  too  thin.  Maria  did  not  believe  it 
for  an  instant,  still  on  the  other  hand,  she  was 
far  from  suspecting  the  truth. 

"  Eh,  bosh ! "  she  said,  "  why  was  he  in  my 
palanquin?" 

"  Oh,"  said   Clayton,   "  I  am  a  Yankee  and 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  105 

curious,  never  saw  one  before — wanted  to  ex- 
amine it." 

As  he  spoke,  Maria's  face  lighted  with  recogni- 
tion. The  instant  he  addressed  her,  she  knew 
him. 

"  Eh,  relics  of  Ananias,  but  I  know  you,"  she 
cried.  "Eh — you  are  a  traitor!  A  spy!  I  saw 
you  in  the  Rebels'  camp  a  year  ago.  Inez  begged 
you  off  in  the  jungle!  You  are  concealed  here, 
why  are  you  concealed  here?  And  she — she — 
Inez — the  Vice  Roy's  ward — who  steals  my  lover 
— what  has  she  to  do  with  it?  " 

She  paused  a  moment,  her. hands  clenched,  her 
brow  wrinkled  in  her  efforts  to  quite  grasp  the 
solution  almost  within  her  knowledge. 

"  Blood  of  the  saints,"  she  continued,  "  I  see — 
I  see  this  was  arranged.  You  stole  the  list — hey, 
hello — guards — help !  " 

Inez  and  Clayton  looked  at  each  other  aghast, 
but  now  Clayton's  stray  wits  were  at  work  and 
he  resolved  that  a  bold  stroke  might  yet  win. 

"  She,  she,"  he  cried,  pointing  to  Inez,  "  has 
nothing  to  do  with  me — ask  Lieutenant  Fran- 
cisco." 


io6    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

He  had  struck  the  right  chord.  Maria  was  all 
attention. 

"  I — I  thought  she  might  care — ah,  what  didn't 
I  think  when  1  came  here — bah !  " 

He  turned  melodramatically  to  Inez,  but 
winked  his  right  eye  slowly  and  solemnly  to  show 
her  he  was  playing  a  game. 

"  I  heard  you,  I  saw  you — accepting  his  protes- 
tations,— his  flowers  are  sent  you — his  love-let- 
ters to  you  I  find  on  the  floor,"  he  waved  the  list 
tragically. 

Inez,  alas!  was  South  American  and  Spanish 
and  knew  not  the  meaning  of  the  Anglo-Saxon 
wink.  At  Clayton's  words,  she  shrank  back 
aghast.  Maria  also  was  Spanish  and  she  believed 
him.  His  action  she  could  understand.  Ah, 
what  an  outrage,  that  such  fine  fellows  as  Clay- 
ton and  Francisco  should  be  deceived  by  that 
minx  Inez. 

"  Bah,  Senor,"  she  cried,  "  You  have  found  her 
out.  You  are  lucky,  help  me  be  revenged  upon 
her,  she  is  false  to  us  both." 

"  She  will  understand,"  said  Clayton,  solemnly 
and  again  winking  at  Inez,  but  now  Inez  was 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  107 

aroused.  Her  Spanish  blood  was  boiling  at  what 
she  thought  Clayton's  treachery. 

"  You  both  insult  rne !  "  she  blazed  in  indigna- 
tion. "  You  Maria,  my  friend !  You — you,  ah, — 
Seuor,  I,  I,  should  have  trusted  you  if  all  the 
world  accused  you,  if  all  denied  you,  I  should 
have  defended  you  and  at  a  word,  a  breath " 

Maria  interrupted  her.  She  looked  too  dan- 
gerously handsome,  she  spoke  too  eloquently,  did 
Inez,  she  wrould  win  back  her  Yankee. 

"  Eh,  I  cannot  talk  like  that,"  she  said.  "  If 
I  could,  you  should  be  singed,  roasted.  Come, 
Senor,  she  is  a  false  woman — to  you,  to  me ! " 

She  seized  Clayton's  arm  and  tried  to  make 
him  accompany  her  to  the  open  window  and 
Clayton  apparently  consented,  but  turning 
sharply  to  Inez,  said : 

"  Can  you  not  see  through  the  lattice?  " 

Surely  this  would  make  her  understand. 

"  Eh,  lattice? "  said  she  dully.  In  another 
moment,  Clayton  and  Maria  had  passed  into  the 
balcony  and  down  the  steps  to  the  street. 


io8    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 


CHAPTER  VI. 

OLD  UNCLE  TOM  OF  LOUISVILLE. 

As  Clayton  and  Maria  left  the  room,  there 
caine  a  knocking  at  the  great  entrance  doors  that 
Gomez  had  locked  and  Inez,  weeping  bitterly, 
hysterically,  turned  to  unfasten  the  bolts.  As 
she  fumbled  at  them,  the  doors  suddenly  swung 
open  and  an  old  gentleman,  with  white  hair  and 
mustache  and  looking  curiously  like  Torn, 
stumbled  through  them,  almost  into  the  girl's 
arms. 

"  I  have  an  appointment  with  the  Vice  Roy," 
he  said,  then,  suddenly  noticing  the  tears,  not  yet 
dry  on  Inez'  cheeks,  he  continued  in  English, 
quite  impulsively: 

"  Why,  honey !  honey !  what  is  the  mattah?  " 

The  tone  and  the  words  too  wrent  at  once  to  the 
girl's  heart.  She  understood  a  little  English,  and 
quite  as  a  matter  of  course,  answered  him. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  109 

"  Matter,  Seiior,  my  heart  is  broken."  Then 
she  stopped  abruptly,  remembering  that  she  was 
speaking  to  a  total  stranger. 

"  Eh,  what?  "  she  continued,  "  I  forget  myself 
— pardon  me.  Seiior,  I  do  not  know  you,  but 
even  if  I  do  not  know  yon,  I  should  welcome 
you,  in  the  Vice  Roy's  absence,  to  his  house.  Be 
seated,  Senor,"  she  swept  a  courtesy.  "  Have  my 
servants  neglected  you?" 

"  Not  at  all,  not  at  all — they  were  slow  in 
coming,  the  doors  were  open,  I  entered.  I  am 
Judge  Clayton  of  Kentucky,  the  new  American 
Commissioner." 

Inez  looked  her  delight  at  the  announcement 
of  the  name.  Tom  had  told  her  of  his  relatives 
in  Kentucky ;  perhaps  the  judge  was  one  of  them, 
he  looked  like  Tom. 

"  Not  old  Uncle  Tom  of  Louisville,"  she  said. 

"  Eh,  what?  "  said  the  Judge.  "  That  sounds 
as  though  you  knew  my  nephew  Tom,  old  indeed, 
pah!" 

"  Madre  a  dios,  Senor — can  it  be.  But  he 
is  here,  your  nephew  and  in  danger,  oh,  such 
danger ! " 


no    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"And  was  that  making  you  cry  your  eyes 
out?" 

"  Si,  si,  Senor,  lie  has  just  arrived.  You  must 
defend  him.  He — I — oh,  he  thinks  I  am  false  to 
him  and  I — "  she  began  to  sob  again. 

"Where's  he  gone?  "  said  the  Judge. 

"  With — with  Maria.  They  have  just  left  the 
house." 

"Eh,  I'll  go  after  him!  I'll  skin  him  alive! 
I'll  eat  him  up,  he  must  come  back." 

And  the  Judge  hurried,  in  his  turn,  through  the 
open  lattice  to  the  balcony  and  thence  to  the 
street.  As  he  vanished,  poor  Francisco,  at  the 
most  unfortunate  time  he  could  have  chosen,  en- 
tered, to  learn  the  fate  of  his  flowers  and  his 
blank  verse. 

"  Senorita,"  he  said,  "  I  kiss  your  feet,  I  am  at 
your  feet."  His  bow,  as  he  spoke,  swept  below  his 
knees,  his  face  seemed  to  ooze  sentiment. 

"  Oh,  Senor,  go  away,  go  away."  As  Inez 
spoke,  she  clapped  her  hands,  the  signal  to  sum- 
mon her  servants.  One  of  them  appeared,  al- 
most immediately,  at  the  door. 

"  Call  Donna  Isabella,"  said  Inez. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  in 

"  Senorita — you  break  my  heart,  clap  your 
little  white  hands  again — eh,  Jesu !  delay  the  in- 
exorable duenna — eh,  listen,  I  have  broken  with 
Maria,  I,  I " 

Francisco  poured  out  his  words  with  eagerness, 
but  as  he  did  so,  Donna  Isabella  entered  and  both 
heard  and  saw  him.  Her  romantic  old  heart  was 
stirred.  That  she  should  be  summoned  to  hear 
a  proposal  was  quite  the  proper  etiquette. 

"  Eh — an  avowal — proceed ! "  said  she. 

Francisco  immediately  dropped  to  his  knees, 
but  this  did  not  please  Donna  Isabella. 

"  No,  no — "  she  protested.  "  That  is  not  the 
way — the  etiquette  is  that  you  advance  with  your 
hand  upon  your  heart." 

As  she  concluded,  Judge  Clayton  entered  again 
by  the  balcony.  He  had  seen  Tom  in  the  distance, 
just  bidding  farewell  to  Maria,  and  had  motioned 
him  to  return,  and  Tom,  recognizing  him,  was  on 
his  way. 

As  the  judge  entered,  Inez  made  a  gesture,  ex- 
pressive of  absolute  disgust  at  Francisco's  pro- 
ceedings, which  the  old  Kentuckian  understood 
on  the  instant,  but  his  sense  of  humor  was  hugely 


H2    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

tickled  at  the  idea  of  a  young  man  making  a 
proposal  in  the  presence  of  a  third  party,  though 
when  he  had  been  longer  in  the  country,  he  dis- 
covered it  was  quite  a  matter  of  course. 

"  Donna  Isabella,  this  is  Senor  Judge  Clayton, 
of  Kentucky,"  said  Inez.  "  Senor,  this  is  Donna 
Isabella,  my  duenna." 

The  old  lady  courtesied. 

"  Eh,  Sefior,  the  Aide-de-Camp  of  the  Vice  Hoy 
makes  his  avowal  to  Senorita  Inez — 'tis  beauti- 
ful." 

She  waved  her  great  fan  in  a  most  encouraging 
manner  to  Francisco. 

"  Proceed,"  she  commanded. 

"  Twinkling  star,"  began  Francisco. 

"  Eh,"  said  Judge  Clayton,  "  I  want  a  chance." 

"Sefior!" 

"  Now  you  needn't  think  you  can  make  all  the 
avowals." 

"  Quite  correct,  quite  correct,"  said  Donna 
Isabella.  "  So  did  the  dukes  Mendoza  and 
Cuazco  make  their  avowals  for  she  who  became 
the  wife  of  Mendoza.  "'Tis  a  famous  Spanish 
memory." 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  113 

"  You  first,  Cuazco,"  said  the  Judge. 

"  Dearest  senorita,"  began  Francisco.  "  For 
you  my " 

"  Hey,  give  Mendoza  a  chance,"  said  the  Judge. 
"  Mah  dream,  mah  passion — Bah !  Ahm  only 
used  to  saying — 'your  Honah  and  Gentlemen  of 
the  Jury  ' !  I — honey — you  send  that  old  woman 
and  this  boy  away  and  Ah  will  talk  to  you,  Ah 
will — Tom  is  here,  he  has  come  back."  As  he 
was  speaking,  Tom  Clayton  entered. 

"  Inez,  Inez,"  said  he,  "  could  you  not  see 
through  the  lattice?  " 

"  Carramba,"  shouted  Francisco,  in  wrath. 
"Among  you,  you  make  a  jest  of  me,  but  you 
shall  find  that  here  is  something  that  is  not  a 
jest." 

He  pointed  to  Tom  and  now  he  recognized  him. 

"  You  were  with  II  Liberator — will  you  ex- 
plain that?" 

He  advanced  threateningly  toward  the  young 
American.  The  latter  roughly  thrust  him  back. 

"  Stand  away,"  he  said.  "  I  am  not  a  patient 
man  and  this  time  my  arms  are  not  bound  as  they 
were  in  the  jungle." 


ii4    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

Inez  clasping  and  unclasping  her  hands,  sud- 
denly remembered  that  Tom's  uncle  was  the 
American  Commissioner. 

"  Here  is  his  uncle,"  she  said.  "  He  will  ex- 
plain." 

The  Judge  was  already  bristling  at  seeing  "one 
of  his  kinsfolk  in  an  altercation  with  a  stranger 
and  on  Inez's  suggestion,  turned  fiercely  to  Fran- 
cisco. 

"  See  here,  you !  I  don't  know  you !  But  this 
is  my  nephew,  Tom  Clayton  of  Kentucky,  an 
American  citizen,  a  friend  of  Seiiorita  Inez.  I 
am  commissioned  by  President  Monroe  of  the 
United  States." 

Francisco  bowed  with  perfect  courtesy.  The 
Vice  Roy's  staff  had  already  been  instructed  to 
treat  the  prying  envoy  with  distinguished  con- 
sideration. 

"  You  vouch  for  him,  Senor,  it  is  sufficient." 

Then  turning  to  Tom,  "  Senor,  I  apologize, 
adios,"  and  he  bowed  farewell.  As  he  left  the 
room,  however,  he  spoke  in  an  undertone  to  Tom, 
showing  that  there  was  another  reason  than  the 
words  of  Uncle  Tom,  for  his  action. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  115 

"  Senor,  get  out.  Eh — you  appreciate,  I  would 
not  get  others  in  trouble,"  he  indicated  Inez  by 
a  lift  of  the  eyebrow  and  was  gone. 

"  Now,  you  young  scoundrel,"  said  the  Judge 
to  Tom.  "  Since  Henry  Clay  got  your  resigna- 
tion, we  haven't  heard  a  word  from  you.  I  came 
down  here  mainly  to  find  you.  I  believe  you  are 
in  a  mess — fact  is,  you  are  always  in  a  mess. 
Don't  get  me  into  one,  but,  you  damned  fool! 
Look  at  that  pretty  girl  who  has  been  crying  her 
eyes  out  about  you.  Come,  Donna." 

He  turned  to  Isabella,  offering  his  arm.  She, 
scandalized  at  leaving  Inez  alone  with  this  mys- 
terious and  handsome  young  man,  made  some 
protest. 

"Eh,  what?  Oh,  it's  all  right,  Donna,  come 
along,"  said  the  Judge  and  overcome  by  the 
rapid  and  incisive  action  of  this  American  Cabal- 
lero,  who  looked  like  a  nobleman,  addressed  her 
with  the  manner  of  a  lover  and  was  no  more  to 
be  resisted  than  a  hail-storm,  she  followed  him 
from  the  room. 


u6   THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 


CHAPTER  VII. 

TOM    CLAYTON    LEARNS    A    THING    OR    TWO    ABOUT 
SPANISH  SWEETHEARTING. 

As  they  departed,  Tom  approached  Inez,  hut 
the  girl  had  not  forgiven  him  and  her  manner 
plainly  indicated  her  feeling  of  insult. 

"  Inez,  Inez,"  said  Tom,  "  we  are  in  danger  of 
death.  Every  hour,  every  minute,  we  must  play 
the  part.  I  had  to  do  as  did.  In  another  mo- 
ment, Maria  would  have  denounced  us  both.  I 
warned  you,  I  asked  you  if  you  could  not  see 
through  the  lattice." 

"  But  Senor,  you  accused  me.  She  heard  you, 
you  left  me  for  her,  you  looked  at  her,  oh,  so  soft, 
so  soft,  and  in  a  minute  you  expect  me  to  forgive 
you,  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  to  accept  your 
explanations." 

"  Yes,  that  is  it,"  said  Tom,  in  his  turn  angry. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  117 

"  The  woman's  way  always — our  explanations, 
your  forgiveness!  Why  shouldn't  you  explain. 
This  Francisco  is  all  over  the  place,  he  permeates 
it.  He  looked  at  you  like  a  lover.  I  don't  like 
his  looks,  by  Cricky,  I  don't  like  Francisco  and 
I  don't  like  you  to  like  Francisco." 

He  had  chosen  the  right  way — Inez  was  sun- 
shine again. 

"  Eh,  well,  Senor  Bluebeard,"  she  laughed.  "  I 
don't  like  you  to  suspect  me  and  I  don't  like  you 
to  say  <  by  Cricky ' ;  I  don't  like  you  to  like  Fran- 
cisco, for  I  like  you  pretty  well,  Senor  Tommy 
(Thomocito,  she  called  it).  Eh,  yes,  I  do  and  for 
all  my  jealous  Spanish  blood,  I  wouldn't  have  ac- 
cused you  or  suspected  you  as  you  know  you  did 
me,  not  for  a  minute." 

As  she  spoke,  she  was  coming  nearer  all  the 
time  and  was  finally  patting  his  coat-sleeve.  As 
she  did  so,  she  caught  sight  of  Maria's  ring  still 
on  his  finger  where  he  had  placed  it  after  re- 
ceiving it  from  Francisco. 

"  Eh,  what !  "  she  cried  sharply.  "  Whose  ring 
is  that  on  your  finger?  A  lady's  ring!  Eh,  let 
me  see  it!  Bah — it  is  her  ring,  Maria's  ring.  I 


n8    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

have  seen  it  on  her  finger  for  months.     What 
right  have  you  to  wear  her  ring?     What  right 
to  have  her  give  you  a  ring,  to  talk  with  her  long 
enough  to  know  she  had  a  ring !  " 
Clayton  looked  at  her  aghast. 

"  Why,  why — let  me  explain,"  he  stuttered. 

"  Eh !  Jesu !  explain ! "  said  the  girl,  all  the 
perils  in  which  they  were  encamped  thronging 
to  her  mind.  "  My  God,  what  will  you  not  have 
to  explain,  but  not  to  me ! " 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  119 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

THE  VICE  ROY  CONDEMNS  JUDAS  IN  COUNCIL. 

WITHOUT,  sounded  suddenly  a  fan-fan  of 
trumpets  and  the  voice  of  a  herald 

"  Make  way,  make  way — the  Vice  Roy,  Viva  il 
Rey ! " 

Through  the  wide  entrance  doors  thronged  the 
little  Vice  Regal  court,  gorgeous  and  glittering  in 
color,  for  the  Vice  Royalties  still  had  the  mines 
of  the  Indies  at  command,  and  there  were  still 
places  where  the  officers  of  the  king,  rode  on 
streets  paved  with  silver  and  had  their  horses' 
bridles  studded  with  jewels  and  their  state  gar- 
ments heavy  with  the  gold  of  their  embroideries  * 
and  the  officers  of  the  Vice  Roy's  staff  and  the 
ladies  of  his  household  and  the  Creole  magnates 

*This   is   related  of  the  Governor-General  of  Peru,  not 
much  earlier  than  the  time  of  the  story. 


120    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

admitted  to  his  society  wore  on  their  backs  the 
price  of  many  a  European  barony,  though  the 
private  soldiers  might  have  no  shoes  and  the 
mass  of  the  population  not  much  else  than  a 
blanket  for  covering. 

The  Vice  Roy,  himself,  however,  preferred  to 
appear  in  the  rough  robe  of  a  Capucin,  the  more 
to  accentuate  the  harshness  of  his  aspect  and  the 
terror  of  his  judgments.  Frequently,  he  himself, 
when  a  culprit  was  brought  before  him,  seized  a 
whip  from  one  of  the  guards  and  laid  it  across 
the  shoulders  of  the  prisoner. 

This  morning,  he  was  expecting  to  judge  the 
prisoners  captured  in  the  street  and  as  he  seated 
himself,  looked  even  more  harsh  and  forbidding 
than  usual.  About  him  were  grouped  his  officers. 
In  front,  stood  Judge  Clayton,  presenting  his 
credentials.  Here  and  there  were  various  ladies 
and  gentlemen,  the  former  wearing  their  graceful 
mantillas  and  idly  waving  their  great  fans,  the 
latter  twisting  their  mustaches,  haughtily,  though 
with  curiosity,  looking  at  Tom  Clayton  or  pay- 
ing their  court  to  Inez,  Maria,  who  had  come  in, 
or  to  some  other  of  the  ladies  who  were  the  reign- 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  121 

ing  belles  of  the  little  city.  To  attend  the  Vice 
Roy's  residence  in  the  morning,  was  all  in  the  ac- 
customed day's  routine  for  society. 

Judge  Clayton,  having  finished  presenting  his 
credentials,  proceeded  to  introduce  Tom,  though* 
with  some  inward  qualms  at  the  position  in  which 
he  himself  would  be  placed  if  his  nephew  should 
be,  as  he  already  suspected,  connected  with  the 
revolutionists. 

"  High  Mightiness,"  said  he,  "  I  wish  to  pre- 
sent my  nephew,  he  concerning  whom  I  had  writ- 
ten. I  had  feared  he  was  dead.  He  came  hither 
disguised  as  a  beggar,  to  escape — to  escape  mos- 
quitoes in  the  Andes.  He  is  an  ex-officer  of  the 
American  army  and  wears  our  uniform  to  do 
you  honor." 

The  Vice  Roy  rose  and  bowed. 

"  A  miracle — a  Lazarus,  in  uniform,  risen 
from  the  dead,"  he  said.  "  I  welcome  you,  Sefior, 
we  can  talk  later,"  and  he  shot  a  keen  look  at 
Tom,  "  of  mosquitoes  and  the  Andes — ah,  I  fear 
those  Andes." 

Indeed  he  did,  for  unlike  his  officers,  he  was 
worried  at  the  mysterious  disappearance  of  II 


122    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

Liberator  and  his  army,  and  frequently  thought 
of  his  slender  garrison  and  of  his  city,  com- 
manded by  the  mountains  that  walled  it  in. 

A  sound  of  blowing  conch  shells  sounded 
hoarsely  through  the  Residence  and  a  throng  of 
the  poorer  people,  swarthy  Indians,  negroes  and 
general  riff-raff  entered.  They  bore  with  them  a 
grotesque  and  horrible  image  of  more  than  life 
size  and  mounted  on  wheels. 

The  figure  was  intended  to  represent  "  Judas  " 
and  was  always  the  characteristic  feature  of  the 
festivals  of  the  people.  On  all  the  public  squares, 
on  the  days  of  festival  figures  of  Judas  were 
burned  in  effigy,  let  down  by  ropes  from  the  por- 
tico of  the  Cathedral  and  hanged  or  kicked  and 
cuffed  in  the  streets. 

The  giant  Judas  belonged  to  the  government 
and  by  immemorial  custom  was  judged  on  the 
morning  of  the  day  of  festival  by  the  Vice  Roy  in 
council  and  in  the  evening  burnt  at  the  Resi- 
dence. 

As  the  present  day  had  been  decreed  as  a  fiesta 
in  honor  of  the  battle  of  the  year  before,  Judas 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  123 

had  been  brought  to  take  his  part  in  the  proceed- 
ings. 

"  Foh  the  love  of  heaven,"  exclaimed  the  Judge 
as  the  great  figure,  surrounded  by  the  tatterde- 
malion rout,  rolled  into  the  room. 

"  An  old  custom  of  the  city,"  explained  the 
Vice  Koy.  "  At  every  festival,  we  condemn 
Judas  in  the  morning;  in  the  evening  burn  him. 
See,  is  he  not  curious?  " 

He  lifted  the  rough  red  and  green  robe  that 
covered  the  figure  and  displayed  a  steel  skeleton 
large  enough  to  conceal  a  full-grown  man. 

"  In  old  times,"  continued  the  Vice  Roy,  "  they 
would  cage  in  him,  some  notorious  criminal  and 
burn  him  alive.  If  I  ever  catch  the  Arch  Rebel 
— "  his  look  and  the  gesture  that  accompanied  it, 
led  the  Judge  to  think  that  the  Vice  Roy  would 
not  be  averse  to  continuing  the  custom. 

"  Condemn  him,  condemn  him,"  shouted  the 
crowd. 

Francisco,  as  Judge  Advocate,  stepped  for- 
ward. 

"  Senor  Judas,"  he  said  in  the  manner  of  a 
lawyer,  "you  have  committed  great  crimes.  If 


124    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

you  have  not,  answer !  "  He  paused  as  though  to 
permit  Judas  to  enter  a  defense,  then  shrugged 
his  shoulders,  carrying  out  the  farce  perfectly. 
"  Senors,  he  does  not  answer,  he  is  guilty !  Will 
you  sentence  him  ?  " 

As  gravely  as  though  a  real  criminal  were  be- 
fore him,  the  Vice  Roy  addressed  the  figure : 

"  Judas,  you  shall  be  burnt  alive,  the  proper 
fate  of  traitors !  "  The  Vice  Roy  glared  at  the 
people,  some  of  them,  Judge  Clayton  noticed, 
shrank  away;  even  Tom,  he  thought,  looked  a 
little  uneasy. 

"  Yes,  this  evening,"  continued  the  Vice  Roy, 
"  at  the  Patio  of  the  Residence  in  the  presence  of 
my  guests." 

There  was  a  ripple  of  applause  and  Judas  was 
wheeled  into  a  corner.  As  this  was  being  done, 
an  officer  noticed  Carmen,  who  was  shrinking 
back  among  the  crowd,  a  mandolin  swung  across 
her  shoulder. 

"Eh,  little  one,  do  you  dance,  sing?"  The 
words  were  kindly,  affectionate  even,  but  Tom 
Clayton  shuddered.  In  a  few  moments,  the 
child's  father  would  probably  be  condemned  to 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  125 

death,  yet  in  the  shadow  of  daily  tragedies  these 
people  could  be  interested  in  the  farcical  condem- 
nation of  Judas  or  listen  and  applaud  a  child's 
dancing  almost  upon  a  grave. 

"  Si,  si,"  said  Maria,  "  Seflor  Vice  Roy — have 
her  dance  while  we  are  waiting!  " 

"  Eh,  don't,"  said  Inez,  "  her  father  is  one  of 
the  prisoners." 

"  Bah !  what  matters  it,  it  will  amuse  me,"  said 
Maria. 

"  Eh,  I  cannot  sing,"  said  Carmen.  "  There  is 
something  here,"  she  pointed  to  her  throat,  "  nor 
dance,  eh,  senors,  they,"  she  pointed  to  her  feet, 
"  are  heavy." 

From  the  crowd,  stepped  a  negro  officer,  Ro- 
mero, at  whose  appearance  Tom  Clayton  changed 
his  position  so  that  the  group  of  officers  was  be- 
tween the  negro  and  himself.  A  muffled  drum 
sounded  without. 

"  Behold,"  said  Romero,  "  the  dead  men  come 
— now,"  he  turned  to  Carmen  and  cracked  the 
heavy  whip  he  carried,  about  her,  "  dance,  the 
Vice  Roy  desires  it." 

At  the  sight,  Judge  Clayton  clenched  his  hands 


126    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

in  a  rage  and  was  about  to  protest  when  there 
entered  a  sergeant,  some  soldiers,  a  priest  and 
the  prisoners,  four  in  number,  one  of  them 
Valdez. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  127 


CHAPTER  IX. 

HOW   SOME  PRISONERS  WERE  GIVEN   A  CHANCE  OP 
MERCY. 

"  HALT  !  "  said  the  sergeant. 

"  Why  is  this?  "  said  Judge  Clayton  to  Donna 
Isabella. 

"  It  is  said  there  is  some  spy  among  us,"  she 
answered,  "and  every  effort  is  being  made  to 
discover  him.  The  Vice  Roy  also  suspects  that 
the  Arch  Rebel  is  still  in  the  country  and  wants 
information — but  hush !  " 

Francisco,  with  the  same  manner  in  which  he 
had  addressed  Judas,  was  speaking 

"  Seilors,"  he  began,  addressing  the  prisoners, 
"  pardon  this  delay,  it  is  necessary.  I  am  Judge 
Advocate,  it  is  my  duty."  (None  of  these  men 
had  had  a  trial. )  "  The  Vice  Roy,  the  represen- 
tative of  our  most  Catholic  Sovereign,  Fernando, 


128    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

the  Well  Beloved —  "  all  the  ladies  courtesied  at 
the  name,  all  the  men  with  the  exception  of  the 
Claytons  and  the  prisoners,  bowed, — "  decrees," 
continued  Francisco's  beautifully  modulated 
voice,  "  that  before  execution,  you,  the  con- 
demned, shall  be  asked  severally,  to  confess  the 
names  of  your  confederates,  the  name  of  any  spy, 
if  such  there  be  to  you  known.  One  of  you  is 
known  to  have  been  with  the  Arch  Rebel,  the 
others  are  Creoles  born  in  this  country,  therefore 
probably  rebels.  In  case  any  one  gives  us  this 
information,  most  excellent  Senors,  instead  of 
death,  he  shall  be  reprieved — and  but  one  may 
have  the  chance." 

"  Remember,"  said  the  Vice  Roy,  "  but  one 
has  the  chance  to  live." 

"  Pardoned?  "  said  one  of  the  condemned. 

"  No,  he  shall  be  sent  a  life  prisoner  to  Spain. 
But  you  interrupt,  where  was  I?" 

"  At  the  word  l  to  live,' "  said  Inez. 

"  Many  thanks  "  (Muchos  gracias),  said  Fran- 
cisco, looking  at  her,  "  but  Jesu !  you  yourself, 
wear  the  rebel  colors." 

It  was  true,  she  had  boldly,  as  a  signal  to  the 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  129 

prisoners  that  there  was  a  friend  at  hand,  thrown 
about  her  shoulders  a  light  scarf  of  yellow,  red 
and  green. 

"  But  how  becoming,"  said  Francisco.  The 
Vice  Roy  looked  displeased. 

"  Inez,  you  are  thoughtless,  those  colors  can 
never  become  one  of  my  household." 

"  Frantisco  called  them  becoming." 

"Always  Francisco,"  muttered  Tom. 

"  He  at  least  compliments  me,"  said  Inez. 

"  Pah,"  said  Maria. 

"  Disgusting,"  muttered  Tom. 

"  But  I  must  continue,"  said  Francisco. 
"  Senors,  if  you  do  not  confess,  I  must  give  the 
word  and  you  are  dead.  It  is  very  sad,  the  world 
is  pleasant,"  he  pointed  out  through  the  open 
windows  where  could  be  seen  the  great  free  peaks 
of  the  Andes.  "  The  sun  is  bright,"  he  paused  to 
let  them  notice  the  bright  rays  that  shone  and 
glittered  upon  the  brilliant  dresses  of  the  audi- 
ence. "  The  ladies,"  he  swept  a  bow  to  them, 
"  most  beautiful,"  a  clapping  of  white  hands 
came  from  the  donnas  and  senoritas. 


130    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  My  God,  do  not  applaud,"  said  Carmen,  "  it 
is  my  father  there  that  is  about  to  be  shot !  " 

Judge  Clayton  wiped  away  some  moisture  that 
troubled  his  eyesight. 

"  This  is  most  affecting,"  he  said  to  Isabella. 

"  Yes,  is  it  not  amusing?  Francisco  is  most 
sadly  eloquent  on  these  occasions." 

"  Come,"  said  Francisco,  sharply,  "  will  you 
confess?  " 

Inez  and  Tom  grew  rigid,  they  were  on  the 
brink  of  a  precipice. 

"  No,"  said  the  condemned,  in  unison,  and  yet 
one  at  least  knew  Inez  was  the  spy  and  that  a 
word  would  mean  the  passing  of  the  shadow  of 
death. 

"  Senor  Francisco,"  said  Inez,  "  the  condemned 
are  more  eloquent  than  you." 

"  Ah,  Senorita,  can  you  not  help  us?  "  said  Car- 
men. 

"  I — why  no,  why  should  I?  "  said  Inez  coldly. 

"  Have  a  care  to  whom  you  speak,"  said 
Romero  to  the  child. 

"  Yes,  don't  ever  speak  to  Romero,"  said  Inez, 
then  turning  to  the  Vice  Roy 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  131 

"  Eh — Seiior  Vice  Roy,  one  of  these  men  is 
called  Valdez,  he  has  an  honest  look.  "  Ah,  Jesu ! 
but  he  has  a  little  daughter !  " 

"  Pah ! "  said  the  Vice  Roy,  then  to  Francisco,  • 
"  Proceed ! " 

"  Sergeant,"  said  Francisco,  "  Give  me  the  list, 
I  will  call  their  prison  numbers." 

The  sergeant  did  so. 

"  Number  one,  you  were  married  last  week,  will 
you  confess?" 

"  No ! " 

"  A  traitorous  'no >,"  said  Inez,  "  but  what  a 
brave  one ! " 

"  What  did  he  do,"  said  Judge  Clayton. 

"  Bought  a  ribbon  not  made  in  Spain,"  said  the 
Vice  Roy. 

"  Your  wife  is  already  a  widow,  stand  aside," 
said  Francisco. 

"  I  will  visit  her,"  said  Inez.  The  man  looked 
at  her  gratefully. 

"  Number  two — "  continued  Francisco.  "  You 
have  an  old  father  to  support,  will  you  confess?  " 

"  No,"  said  the  man. 


132    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  And  what  has  he  done?  "  said  Judge  Clayton. 

"  Read  <  Gil  Bias ' ! "  said  the  Vice  Roy. 

"  What  a  wretch,"  said  the  Judge,  but  an  in- 
dignant red  spot  burnt  in  each  of  his  cheeks  as 
he  mentally  filed  away  notes  of  his  report  to 
President  Monroe.  "  How  do  you  know  all 
that?"  he  queried.  "You  have  not  seen  them 
before." 

"  Our  prisons  have  ears,"  said  the  Vice  Roy. 

tl  Your  father  will  soon  stand  beside  you  before 
God,"  said  Francisco  to  the  second  condemned. 
"  He  will  say,  '  My  son  caused  me  to  die  of  hun- 
ger.' " 

"  I  will  see  that  the  old  man  is  fed,"  interposed 
Inez. 

"  Bah,  be  careful,"  said  the  Vice  Roy,  "  your 
position  encourages  these  scoundrels." 

"  Number  three,"  said  Francisco. 

"  No,"  said  number  three.  Only  Valdez  now 
remained  and  Carmen,  Inez  and  Tom  had  al- 
most given  up  hope  of  helping  him. 

"Number  four,"  said  Francisco.  Valdez 
stepped  forward. 

"  This  is  your  little  girl,"  continued  Francisco, 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  133 

pointing  to  Carmen.  "  Look  at  your  little  girl, 
will  you  confess?  " 

"  High  Mightiness,  it  is  Valdez.  Come,  can 
you  not  reprieve  him?  "  said  Inez. 

"  No,"  said  the  Vice  Roy. 

"  Senor,"  said  Inez,  turning  to  Valdez,  "  con- 
fess, confess,  is  not  the  Arch  Rebel  in  Hayti?  " 
She  hoped  by  the  hint  to  suggest  to  the  man  a 
way  of  escape,  but  he  was  dull,  he  had  expected 
to  say  "  no  "  like  the  others,  and  so  when  Inez 
asked  him  a  question,  all  he  could  think  of  was 
still  a  "  no." 

"  No,"  said  he. 

"Eh,  what?  Not  in  Hayti?"  said  the  Vice 
Roy. 

"  I  will  not  confess,"  said  Valdez. 

"  Captain  Romero  shall  be  appointed  your 
daughter's  guardian,"  said  Francisco. 

"  I  will  not  confess,"  persisted  Valdez. 

"  Ha,  little  lady,"  said  Romero.  "  I'll  make 
you  dance." 

He  cracked  his  whip  suggestively. 

"  For  the  love  of  Mary,"  pleaded  Valdez. 

"  He  was  taken  in  the  street,"  again  Inez  ap- 


134    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

pealed.  "  The  battle  was  fought  and  won  a  year 
ago,  his  little  girl  is  a  hostage  for  his  loyalty,  let 
him  go ! " 

The  Vice  Roy  was  nettled.  He  did  not  like 
these  interruptions  in  the  routine  of  condemning 
prisoners,  he  spoke  severely: 

"  The  dignity  of  Spain,  of  the  king,  suffers 
while  a  single  one  of  those  scoundrels  remains 
alive." 

Inez  turned  away  hopelessly.  As  she  did  so, 
she  saw  entering  the  door,  the  figure  of  Gomez, 
who  concluding  that  Maria  had  tricked  him,  had 
come  to  the  council,  resolved  to  accuse  her  to 
the  Vice  Roy,  whatever  the  outcome,  still  believ- 
ing that  she  was  Inez.  He  had  seen  her  in  the 
street  with  Clayton  and  was  now  convinced  that 
the  latter  was,  if  not  her  lover,  at  least  in  cor- 
respondence with  her  on  behalf  of  the  rebels. 
Valdez  saw  him  as  soon  as  Inez  and  at  the  same 
time  he  heard  the  Vice  Roy's  words,  an  idea 
struggled  into  his  mind. 

"  Peste,"  he  screamed,  pointing  to  Gomez, 
"  that  one  is  alive  and  free." 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  135 


CHAPTER  X. 

HOW  VALDEZ  OBTAINED  MERCY. 

MARIA  uttered  a  sudden  exclamation  as  she  ob- 
served that  Valdez  was  accusing  Gomez. 

"  Seize  him,"  she  cried.  "  He  robbed  me,  he 
threatened  me,  he  lied  to  me  this  morning ! " 

The  soldiers  stood,  uncertain  what  to  do,  as 
yet,  no  order  had  come  from  the  Vice  Roy. 

"  I  was  with  the  Arch  Rebel,"  said  Gomez, 
shouldering  his  way  forward  until  he  stood  be- 
side Valdez.  "  What  of  it?  I  am  sick  and  tired 
of  him,  I  deserted  him.  Eh,  listen,  I  know 
where  he  is,  and  pah !  what  is  more  important,  I 
know  who  the  spy  is  who  was  to  tell  him  your 
plans.  She  is  here — she  is  a  woman !  " 

Inez  reeled  for  an  instant,  but  Tom  Clayton's 
arm  supported  her.  With  an  effort,  she  recovered 
her  senses.  As  she  did  so,  she  caught  a  glimpse 


i36    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

of  Valdez.  There  was  murder  in  his  expression. 
He  was  fumbling  in  his  belt  for  the  knife  the 
guards  had  taken  when  he  was  captured.  Inez 
watched  him,  fascinated.  He  was  twisting  his 
body  from  the  waist  up,  to  face  Romero  who 
stood  on  his  other  side,  his  machete  hanging  from 
his  belt. 

"  You  scoundrel,"  muttered  Tom  Clayton  of 
Gomez.  It  was  very  still.  Gomez  caught  the 
words  and  perceived  Tom. 

"  Eh,  the  Americano,"  he  sneered.  "  You — you 
— bah — you  can  wait,  but  the  spy.  Eh,  what  a 
jest!  you  all  know  her,  she — "  He  raised  his 
right  arm  and  pointed  at  Maria.  As  he  did  so, 
Valdez  pulled  the  machete  from  Romero's  belt 
and  plunged  it  to  the  hilt  in  the  body  of  Gomez 
right  under  his  outstretched  arm.  As  he  did  so, 
he  sprang  like  lightning  toward  the  open  lattice. 

"  Catch  him !  " 

"  Cut  him  down !  " 

"  Shoot !"  came  the  cries.  The  room  was  in  con- 
fusion. Womon  shrieked  and  fainted.  But 
Romero  leaped  for  Valdez  as  he  started  to  escape, 
his  heavy  hand  caught  him  by  the  collar.  He 


"Catch  him  !    Cut  him  down  !    Shoot  !    came  the  cries." 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  137 

lifted  his  ugly  whip  to  strike.  About  Gomez,  who 
had  fallen,  began  to  crowd  the  people. 

"  Stand  aside,"  shouted  the  Vice  Roy,  "  give 
the  man  air — can  he  speak,  is  he  conscious?  " 

"  Keep  back  the  people,"  sharply  commanded 
Francisco.  The  soldiers  began  to  force  them 
back.  As  they  did  so,  Valdez  was  pushed  beside 
Inez. 

"  Quick,"  she  whispered  to  him,  "  swear  to 
everything  I  say,  it  is  your  only  chance." 

As  she  spoke,  Gomez,  mortally  wounded,  but 
conscious,  began  to  mutter  brokenly 

"  I  am  murdered,  dying,  but  who  is  your 
daughter's  lover?  " 

Many  spoke  of  Inez  as  the  Vice  Roy's  daughter. 

"  The  man  raves,"  said  Inez.  "  Poor,  poor 
fellow ! " 

"  But  he  may  confess/'  cried  the  Vice  Roy. 

"  But  one  may  confess  and  be  reprieved," 
argued  Inez. 

"  Pah !  that  is  of  the  prisoners,"  said  the  Vice 
Roy. 

"  Valdez  has  confessed." 

"  Valdez,  the  assassin !  " 


138    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  He  killed  that  he  might  save  his  chance/-' 

This  might  readily  be  so.  The  Vice  Roy  knew 
his  people — he  believed  the  statement. 

"  And  the  spy  is — ?    cried  the  Vice  Roy. 

"  Reprieve  him,  he  will  tell  you  later." 

"  He  is  reprieved,  I  will  examine  him  later." 

"  One  reprieved,  one  dying,"  said  Maria,  angry 
at  Tom  Clayton's  attitude  toward  Inez,  against 
whom  he  should  have  been  her  ally,  for  Tom  was 
thoughtlessly  patting  Inez  with  his  hand  to  en- 
courage her.  "  What  of  this  Yankee,  he " 

"  Listen,  come  nearer,"  said  Gomez.  All 
turned  toward  him. 

"  Quick,  senor,"  said  Inez  to  Tom.  "  He  will 
accuse  you,  they  will  accept  no  defense,  escape, 
hide!" 

"  But  you !  " 

"  Bah !  what  of  me,  you  wear  Maria's  ring ;  I 
am  done  with  you,  go !  " 

She  pointed  to  the  open  and  unguarded  door 
to  the  left.  The  backs  of  all  were  turned  to  it. 
They  were  intent  upon  watching  Gomez.  Tom 
hesitated  a  moment,  then  darted  through  it  and 
was  gone.  As  he  did  so,  Inez  ran  to  the  great 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  139 

doors  to  the  right  that  the  sentinels  had  deserted 
to  crowd  about  Gomez. 

The  latter  was  struggling  to  speak.  Her  idea 
had  been  to  say  that  Tom  was  escaping  by  the 
door  to  the  right,  but  found  everyone  so  intent  on 
the  words  of  Gomez  that  Tom's  absence  was  en- 
tirely unnoticed. 

"  The  Yankee  is  a  traitor,  the  woman  he  came 
to  see  is  the  spy,  she  is,  she  is,  "  muttered  Gomez. 
All  crowded  about  him,  not  thinking  of  Tom. 
Again  Gomez  raised  his  arm  and  tried  to  point. 

"  The  spy  is " 

"  Blood  of  the  saints,  give  him  air,  what  says 
he?"  shouted  the  Vice  Roy. 

Francisco  bent  over  the  wounded  man,  sud- 
denly crossed  himself,  rose  and  addressed  the 
Vice  Boy :  "  He  is  dead !  " 


PART  III. 

HOW   THE   VICEROY   ENTERTAINED. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THUNDER  IN  THE  ANDES. 

IT  was  evening.  The  Residence  seemed  to 
chatter  like  a  mountain  brook,  with  the  voices  of 
its  guests.  "  Judas  "  was  bound  to  a  stake  in  the 
corner  of  the  great  interior  court  or  patio,  straw 
piled  about  him  ready,  at  the  proper  moment,  to 
be  lighted. 

This  great  court  or  open  space  was  surrounded 
on  all  four  sides  by  the  Residence.  About  the  in- 
terior of  the  building  ran  a  gallery,  overhung  by 
a  roof,  supported  by  graceful  Moorish  columns, 
while  the  gallery  itself  was  supported  by  fan- 
tastically carved  arches.  From  one  side,  a  broad 
flight  of  steps  descended  to  a  landing  and  thence 
to  the  floor  of  the  courtyard. 

Here  and  there,  the  fountains,  for  which  the 
city  was  famous,  splashed  and  sparkled.  Here 

143 


144    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

and  there,  great  oleanders  gave  a  fragrance  to  the 
summer  evening. 

In  one  of  the  galleries  were  posted  the  musi- 
cians. About  the  patio,  or  thronging  the  gal- 
leries, were  the  Vice  Roy's  guests,  while  the  Vice 
Roy  himself  stood  on  the  landing  of  the  stairs 
grimly  addressing  them.  In  the  midst,  sounded 
a  distant  reverberation.  The  Vice  Roy  paused, 
an  anxious  look  crossed  his  features,  then  he  con- 
tinued. 

"  I  announced  at  the  close  of  this  morning's 
council  that  not  one  should  leave  the  Residence, 
till  I  had  again  examined  Valdez.  He  will  be 
examined  here  later." 

Some  of  the  guests  made  wry  faces,  for  many 
of  them  had  been  at  the  council,  and  they  had 
been  compelled  to  send  in  hot  haste  for  maids  and 
lacqueys  to  fetch  their  finery  to  the  Residence  for 
the  evening's  dance,  for  however  disturbed  might 
be  political  conditions,  no  one  thought  of  giving 
up  the  evening's  pleasure,  and  though  they  might 
be  accused  before  the  evening  was  over,  they  in- 
sisted, though  prisoners,  on  their  dance  and  the 
Vice  Roy  consented,  knowing  that  if  he  refused, 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  145 

these  people,  who  thought  nothing  of  his  cruelty, 
would  be  ready,  at  the  refusal  of  a  fiesta,  to  rise 
in  revolution.  The  Vice  Roy  continued 

"  The  dying  man  said  '  there  is  a  spy  here,  a  wo- 
man/ "  he  looked  from  one  to  another  of  the  lis- 
tening guests.  "  I  mean  to  know  who  she  is,  I 
mean  to  know  which  of  you  the  escaped  Yankee 
came  to  see."  Again  he  looked  at  them  threaten- 
ingly.. Inez,  standing  behind  him,  felt  herself 
growing  faint.  Again  the  Vice  Roy  spoke. 
"  Jude  Clayton,  the  American  Commissioner,  has 
given  his  word  that  he  is  and  has  been  ignorant  of 
his  nephew's  doings.  I  have  believed  him,  still  it 
has  been  thought  best  for  him,  to-morrow,  or  day 
after,  at  the  latest,  to  return  to  his  own  country." 

Some  of  the  officers  smiled.  They  had  a 
shrewd  suspicion  that  the  escape  of  Tom  Clayton 
was  welcomed  by  the  Vice  Roy  as  a  means  of  get- 
ting rid  of  this  prying  foreigner  from  the  north, 
for  it  was  whispered  that  the  Holy  Alliance  was 
ready  to  back  Spain  against  such  provinces  as 
had  won  a  precarious  independence  and  that  Eng- 
land and  America  were  investigating  conditions 
to  determine  whether  they  should  interfere  with 


the  plans  of  the  European  powers.  Again  came 
the  distant  roar  and  rumble. 

"  Thunder  in  the  Andes,"  said  Francisco. 

"  Ah,  senors,  I  fear  those  Andes,"  said  the  Vice 
Roy.  "  The  peons  say  the  mountain  sheep  are 
descending  to  the  plains.  Why  should  they?  " 

"Mary's  little  lambs  that  seek  their  mis- 
tresses," said  Inez. 

"  And  the  watchmen  say  that  at  night  they  see 
on  distant  mountain  sides,  lights  that  gleam  and 
crawl  like  glittering  snakes.  What  are  they? 

"  Shooting  stars,"  said  Inez. 

"  Aye,  shooting  stars.  And  these  sounds  that 
echo  across  the  Vega?  " 

"  Bah !  only  thunder,"  answered  Francisco. 
"  The  lightning  must  be  magnificent.  We  can 
see  it  from  the  front  of  the  house.  Come !  " 

In  a  moment  all  were  trooping  after  him,  up 
the  stairs  and  through  the  balconies,  careless  of 
the  coming  examination  of  Valdez  and  of  the 
threat  of  the  Vice  Roy.  Even  the  musicians  left 
the  gallery. 

Inez  lingered  a  moment.  Well  she  knew  that 
the  reverberations  came  from  no  sudden  and  dis- 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  147 

tant  storm.  They  were  the  cannon  of  the  last 
stronghold  of  the  mountains,  the  only  one  that 
could  not  be  avoided  the  one  where,  as  Clayton 
had  said,  cannon  had  been  recently  placed  mak- 
ing a  defense  against  the  unexpected  attack  of 
II  Liberator's  battalions.  If  II  Liberator  should 
succeed,  there  was  a  chance  that  he  might 
reach  the  city  in  time  to  save  her,  otherwise  she 
knew  her  fate  could  not  be  much  longer  delayed, 
but  she  trusted  that  Tom  Clayton,  at  least,  was 
safe  and  hurrying  toward  the  advancing  army. 

As  these  things  passed  rapidly  before  her  mind 
as  she  lingered  on  the  stairs,  she  was  startled  sud- 
denly, by  seeing  Tom  Clayton  himself,  standing 
at  the  foot  of  the  flight,  beckoning  to  her. 


i48    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 


CHAPTER  II. 

MARIA  BECOMES  OBSERVING. 

"  JESU!  are  you  mad?  "  Inez  exclaimed,  lightly 
running  toward  him. 

"  Then  you  are  not  done  with  me,"  he  whis- 
pered. 

"  Eh,  done  with  you — we  are  allies  at  least ;  but 
bah !  still  you  wear  her  ring,"  she  caught  its  flash 
in  a  ray  of  moonlight. 

"  Well,  I  waited  to  explain.  Francisco  threw 
me  that  ring  this  morning,  he  thought  I  was  a 
beggar." 

The  girl's  face  lit  up  with  delight.  Here  was  a 
lover  worth  while. 

"  And  you  waited  to  tell  me — you  could  have 
got  away." 

"  Why,  I  suppose  so." 

"  Eh,  Seuor  Tommy,  Seuor  Tommy,  I  do  like 
you." 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  149 

"  Muchos  gracias,"  whined  Tom  in  his  beg- 
gar's tone. 

"  Saints  forgive  me,  Senor,  it  is  because  you 
mostly  are  a  fool,"  she  continued.  "  And  Mother 
of  God,  I  must  not  be  one  also.  Ah,  there  is 
death  in  every  corner,  you  must,  you  shall  go, 
now,  at  once ! "  She  ran  to  a  window,  looking 
into  the  garden  that  was  beyond  the  Residence 
to  the  north.  Among  the  shrubbery  she  saw  men 
moving  and  the  glint  of  the  moonlight  reflected 
from  gun  barrels  and  accouterments.  "  Eh, 
Jesu !  they  have  posted  guards  all  about  us." 

"  Yes,"  said  Tom  coolly.  "  I  have  been  dodg- 
ing them  for  some  minutes." 

Not  answering,  she  ran  to  a  door  that  opened 
upon  the  lower  hall  of  entrance.  Opening  it  but 
a  crack,  she  peered  through.  A  dozen  guards 
sprawled  within.  The  Vice  Roy,  it  was  evident, 
had  for  the  evening  made  his  house  a  prison. 

There  sounded  laughter  and  voices.  Hurrying 
steps  came  toward  the  upper  galleries.  In  a 
moment  the  guests  would  come  thronging  to  the 
patio.  The  girl  looked  all  about  her.  Her  eyes 
caught  the  figure  of  "  Judas." 


i5o    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  Here,  quickly,"  she  said. 

In  a  moment,  Tom  had  hidden  himself  in  the 
figure,  just  in  time,  for  Francisco  came  running 
down  the  stairs. 

"  Eh,  we  shall  soon  dance?  "  he  queried. 

"  Si — I  suppose  so,"  dully  answered  Inez. 

"  And  the  first  dance,  you  will  give  it  me?  " 

"  Eh,  perhaps — bah ! — it  is  chilly.  Tell  Carmen 
to  come,  get  me  my  mantilla." 

Francisco  bowed  and  hurried  up  the  stairs 
again.  As  he  did  so,  Inez  turned  to  the  "  Judas." 

"  Senor,  listen.  I  must  speak  quickly !  The 
Vice  Roy  is  suspicious,  he  will  examine  Valdez 
again  here  this  evening.  To  avert  suspicion,  I 
must  be  Spanish  of  the  Spanish,  abuse,  vilify, 
condemn  the  rebels — perhaps  even  have  to  accuse 
you  to  save  you,  to  save  us  both.  Will  Valdez 
understand?  How  can  I  warn  him?  I  may  not 
speak  to  him,  besides  he  is  dull." 

"  Have  Carmen  warn  him." 

"  Carmen,  how?  " 

"  By  a  song,"  said  Clayton,  his  voice  coming 
muffled  through  the  robe  of  "  Judas."  "  She  has 
done  so  more  than  once.  "Write  the  words,  any- 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  151 

thing  that  will  rhyme,  she  can  set  them  to  music 
— these  people  are  all  musicians." 

"But  will  Valdez  understand?" 

"  Warn  him  first." 

"How?" 

"  Have  her  sing  a  strain  of  the  (  Charcoal  Bur- 
ner's Song/  the  gathering  song  of  II  Liberator. 
You  heard  it  in  the  jungle.  Then  Valdez  will 
know  that  he  is  to  expect  something." 

"  Si,  si,"  she  grasped  the  idea  instantly  and 
began  scribbling  on  a  little  tablet  worn  at  her 
girdle.  Again  Francisco  came  down  the  steps, 
followed  by  Carmen. 

"  Here,  Senorita,  is  the  mantilla."  He  put  it 
about  her  shoulders  and  bent  to  kiss  her  hand. 

Maria's  voice,  from  the  gallery,  made  him  de- 
sist. 

"  Eh,  the  Vice  Roy's  ward  and  her  lacquey." 

She  swept  scornfully  down  the  stairs. 

"  Maria,  Maria,"  said  Inez  imploringly.  "  Why 
do  you  treat  me  so  shamefully?  We  have  been 
friends  from  childhood." 

"  Eh,  friends — you  steal  my  betrothed !  " 

"  Ah,  believe  me,  I  do  not,"  said  Inez.     "  He 


152    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

loves  you,  I  wish  you  both  well.  Tell  her  so, 
Francisco." 

"Ah,  he  need  not,"  said  Maria,  apparently 
placated.  "  I  will  not  speak  to  him,  I  could  pull 
his  hair.  Let  us  have  done  with  the  men,  let  us 
be  nuns  in  a  convent  with  becoming  white  veils." 

"  Alas,"  said  Inez,  "  I  am  in  danger,  such  dan- 
ger. You  heard  that  wretch  this  morning,  you 
saw  him.  He  said  there  is  a  spy  here — a  wo- 
man. He  pointed  at  you — he  said  the  spy  was 
the  sweetheart  of  Senor  Clayton.  Only  you  and 
Francisco  know  he  came  to  see  me.  Francisco, 
I  can  trust,"  she  looked  at  him  appealingly.  He 
bowed,  his  hand  on  his  heart  and  Inez  knew  she 
could  trust  him.  "  And  you,  Maria,  you  will  not 
accuse  me?  " 

"  Bah !  never;  but  why  trust  Francisco?  Why 
trust  any  of  these  scoundrels?  My  lover  deceives 
me,  your  lover  is  a  poltroon,  he  runs  away ! " 

But  at  this  Inez  lost  all  her  caution. 

"Bah!  what,  a  poltroon?  Senor  Tommy? 
Never!  Let  me  tell  you  he  did  not  run  away,  he 
came  back,  he — "  What  she  might  have  said  in 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  153 

her  anger  can  be  imagined,  but  Francisco  inter- 
rupted her. 

"  Ah,"  he  said,  "  Maria  despises  me ;  you  have 
another  lover.  My  heart  is  broken  glass,  a  broken 
glass  bottle.  Your  lover,  it  seems,  has  deserted 
you,  we  are  two  broken  glass  bottles,  let  us  com- 
fort one  another." 

He  looked  at  Inez  so  languishingly  that 
Maria's  jealousy  again  flamed  out. 

"  Oh,  infamous,"  she  cried.  "  You  cat,  he 
makes  love  to  you  before  my  eyes.  Bah !  and 
your  lover  has  come  back,  has  he?  When? 
Where  is  he?  I  will  find  out,  I  will  denounce 
you  both ! "  She  gathered  her  skirts  about  her 
and  fairly  flew  up  the  stairs. 

"  Follow  her,  Francisco !  Stop  her ! "  said  Inez 
and  Francisco,  at  the  words,  for  he  perceived  the 
danger  Inez  was  in  and  was  gallantly  willing  to 
help  her  at  any  risk,  followed  Maria  to  the  gal- 
lery, bent  on  diverting  her  from  her  purpose. 
Maria  entered  one  of  the  doors  leading  to  the 
inner  corridor.  Francisco  pursued  her.  She 
came  into  the  gallery  again  at  another  door  and 
glanced  down,  a  moment,  at  Inez,  then  she 


154    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

stopped  suddenly  and  hid  behind  a  pillar.  Inez 
was  apparently  talking  to  the  "  Judas."  The 
figure  seemed  to  move.  Maria  caught  her  breath. 
Inez  was  delivered  into  her  hands,  but  she  paused 
— yes,  she  would  torture  her  before  denouncing 
her.  She  saw  the  way. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  155 


CHAPTER  III. 

HOW  THEY  SEARCHED  FOR  THE  DANCE  ORDER  OF  THE 
VICE  ROY'S  WARD. 

MEANWHILE,  Tom,  all  unconscious  of  the 
watching  fury  in  the  gallery,  was  anxiously 
speaking  to  Inez.  He  had  lost  the  list  of  adher- 
ents he  had  secured  in  the  morning. 

"  I  had  it  a  moment  ago,"  he  said.  "  I  must 
have  lost  it  in  the  patio.  If  found,  hundreds  of 
lives  will  be  in  danger.  Look  for  it." 

Inez,  first  going  to  Carmen,  who  had  all  this 
time  idly  been  thrumming  her  guitar  and  ex- 
plaining to  her  her  plan,  began  to  search  about 
the  patio.  And  she  did  so,  the  musicians  came 
into  the  gallery.  They  began  to  play  and  the 
guests  crowded  through  the  doors.  Half  a  dozen 
young  officers  ran  toward  Inez,  Romero  sulkily 
followed  them. 

"  My  dance,"  said  one. 


156    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  You  promised  me,"  said  Francisco. 

"  Bah !  they  dispute.  Give  me  the  dance,"  said 
another. 

An  idea  came  to  Inez.  She  might  turn  their 
eagerness  to  account.  The  lost  list  was  about  the 
size  and  shape  of  her  order  of  dances  that  she 
had  carefully  made  out  earlier  in  the  evening. 

"  Eh,  dullness  of  a  heretic ! "  she  exclaimed. 
"  I  have  lost  my  dance  order.  Look  for  it,  I  will 
give  the  first  dance  to,  whoever  finds  it." 

The  young  officers  commenced  to  search  furi- 
ously. The  senoritas  and  Judas  Clayton  looked 
from  the  gallery,  laughing  and  applauding. 

"  Eh,  they  grovel,  there  on  their  hands  and 
knees." 

"  Si,  the  monkeys !  " 

"  Eh,  let  us  bet  on  who  finds  it." 

So  they  laughed  and  wagered  while  the  search 
continued  and  Inez  desperately  tried  to  keep  them 
away  from  "  Judas,"  directing  them  elsewhere 
while  she  herself  searched  in  the  straw. 

"  I  have  it,"  said  Romero.  He  held  up  the  list 
grinning,  a  groan  of  disgust  came  from  the  of- 
ficers. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  157 

"  I  will  give  you  fifty  pesatas  for  it,"  said  Fran- 
cisco. 

Maria  scowled. 

"  A  hundred,"  said  an  officer. 

"  Two  hundred,"  said  Francisco. 

"A  thousand,"  said  Judge  Clayton,  from  the 
gallery. 

"  I  will  have  my  dance,"  said  Komero.  He 
advanced  toward  Inez,  as  ugly  and  brutal  a  figure 
as  could  be  imagined.  The  girl  shuddered,  then 
she  looked  up  at  the  Judge. 

"  Eh,  Jesu !  think  of  something,  help  me,"  she 
said. 

The  Judge  was  quick-witted. 

"  Oh,  I  am  ill — faint.  Help  me,  Senorita  Inez, 
get  my  medicines !  "  He  pretended  to  stagger. 

"  Oh,  my  guest  is  ill !  Pardon  me,  seuors,"  said 
Inez  and  ran  up  the  steps.  The  Judge  met  her 
with  a  bow.  As  she  reached  the  gallery  she 
laughed.  Romero  heard  her.  At  the  same  mo- 
ment, Maria,  who  meanwhile  had  come  down  the 
stairs,  snatched  the  list  from  him  and  looked  at 
it.  He  turned  and  angrily  recovered  it. 

"  Bah,"  he  said.     "  You  fine  ladies — one  of  you 


158    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

cheats  me,  the  other  robs  me,  but  some  day — " 
He  glared  about  him.  The  Judge  came  down  the 
stairs. 

"  I  think,"  he  said,  "  Senorita  Inez  would  like 
that  paper." 

He  took  it  from  Komero  and  mounted  the 
stairs. 

The  guests  laughed  at  the  negro's  discomfiture. 
The  music  was  playing  all  sorts  of  invitations 
to  dance  and  the  young  people  were  beginning 
to  take  partners,  but  Maria  interrupted  them. 

"  Come,"  she  cried,  seizing  a  great  wax  taper 
that  burnt  in  a  sconce  at  the  foot  of  the  stairs  and 
approaching  "  Judas." 

"  Let  us  burn  him." 

Maria  was  beginning  her  torture  and  Inez  saw 
that  she  had  guessed  the  secret.  But  she  meant 
not  to  give  up  while  a  chance  remained. 

"  Pah !  no,"  she  said.  "  Judas  has  points.  He 
was  a  bachelor,  wait  till  the  dancing  is  over." 

The  others  applauded  and  Maria  put  back  the 
candle  in  the  sconce.  The  young  people  began 
to  dance.  In  the  midst  came  a  rattle  of  d"urns 


"A  hundred,  said  an  officer." 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  159 

and  tramping  feet.  The  entrance  doors  to  the 
Patio  opened  and  Valdez  was  brought  in,  sur- 
rounded by  guards. 


160    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 


CHAPTER  IV. 

HOW  A  SONG  WAS  SUNG  FOR  A  PRISONER'S  SUPPER. 

As  Valdez  was  brought  in,  the  dance  ceased 
abruptly.  The  Vice  Roy,  with  his  councillors, 
grimly  came  down  the  stairs.  A  table  wad 
brought  forward,  the  examination  was  about  to 
begin.  Not  a  woman  there  but  shuddered  at  the 
possibility  of  the  prisoner's  recklessly  accusing 
her  of  being  the  spy  in  order  to  curry  favor  or 
from  revenge. 

For  thus  it  went  in  the  Vice  Royalties.  Now  a 
dance,  then  an  execution.  One  moment  honored 
of  the  government,  the  next  under  accusation. 
Not  very  long  before,  the  guests  at  a  fiesta  like 
this,  had  suddenly  been  divided  into  two  parties 
and  one  party  shot  down  without  warning,  by  a 
platoon  of  soldiers,  commanded  by  one,  that  but 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  161 

a  moment  before,  had  been  dancing  with  the  wo- 
men and  drinking  with  the  men.* 

Of  all  those  looking  on,  Inez  appeared  the  most 
at  ease.  As  though  nothing  were  at  stake,  she 
languidly  moved  her  great  fan  back  and  forth  as 
she  chattered  for  a  moment  with  Carmen,  then 
standing  on  the  landing  of  the  stairs,  a  brilliant 
figure  of  crimson,  she  spoke  to  the  officers  below 
her. 

"  Eh,  senors,  has  your  prisoner  had  his  supper? 
Pah !  the  villain ;  he  should  be  burnt  alive  and  be 
strong,  so  that  it  will  hurt !  " 

Valdez  looked  at  her  wonderingly.  Romero 
surlily  answered  her — 

"  Bah,  he  had  no  money !  " 

"  Eh,  they  buy  their  own  food?  " 

«  Si ! " 

"  But  he  looks  hungry,"  said  Inez. 

"  Why  does  not  his  singing  brat  earn  money  for 
him  then?"  growled  Romero. 

It  was  what  she  hoped  he  would  say. 

"  Eh,  seGors  and  senoritas,  Donnas,  Dons,  Doc- 


*  This  was  done  by  Gen.  Boves,  a  negro  soldier,  in  New 
Grenada. 


162    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

tors,  Caballeros — "  She  dropped  a  courtesy,  as 
she  quoted  the  address  of  the  crier  announcing 
the  play  in  the  theater.  "  Let  the  child  sing  for 
her  father's  supper,  to  fatten  him  for  execution. 
'Tis  a  blessed  charity !  " 

Even  the  grim  Vice  Roy  smiled  and  nodded. 
He  liked  the  brutal  suggestion  of  the  ox  fattened 
for  the  butcher. 

Little  Carmen,  like  a  flame-colored  bird,  seemed 
to  skim  down  the  stairs.  She  reached  the  Patio 
and  began  to  sing : 

"  The  night  is  dark,  the  air  is  chill, 
Come,  charcoal-burner,  tend  your  fire — " 

Valdez  started,  a  growl -of  anger  came  from  the 
officers. 

"  Silence,"  roared  the  Vice  Roy.  "  The  Char- 
coal  Burners'  song  here? — it  is  lucky  I  don't 
shoot  you ! " 

"  Forgive  her !  She  is  but  a  child,  she  knows 
no  better,"  said  Inez.  "  Come,  little  one,  sing  the 
ballad  of  the  forsaken  princess." 

"  Eh,  what  is  that?  I  must  knpw,"  said  the 
Vice  Roy. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  163 

"  The  princess '  lover  is  coming  to  see  her,  but 
for  his  safety,  the  princess  must  deny  him." 

"  Eh,  that  sounds  innocent  enough,"  said  the 
Vice  Koy. 

So  Carmen  began  to  sing,  fitting  the  words  to 
the  music  of  the  dance  that  had  been  interrupted. 

41  The  princess  longs  for  the  Lord  of  Hearts, 
She  may  not  tell  his  name. 
Though  the  Lord  of  Hearts  be  near  at  hand, 
She  may  not  speak  his  fame, 

Ah  me,  she  may  not  speak  his  fame. 

The  Lord  of  Hearts,  he  comes,  he  comes, 
But  him  she  must  deny. 
His  friends  of  old  she  must  forget, 
His  friendship  must  deny,  deny, 
Ah  me,  she  must  deny." 

Brava !     Brava !  " 

The  coins  rattled  about  the  singer,  the  applause 
sounded  from  every  side. 

"  Eh,  is  there  no  more?  "  said  the  Vice  Roy 
himself. 

"  Eh,  yes,  but  that  rebel  there  has  his  supper. 
Pah !  why  delay  his  trial?  "  Inez  spoke  as  though 
grudging  the  prisoner  a  moment. 

"  Eh,  she  is  loyal  enough,"  said  the  Vice  Roy 


164    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

approvingly.     "  But  let  us  have  another  verse." 
Again  Carmen  sang : 

"  The  Lord  of  Hearts  approaches  fast, 
She  says  that  he  doth  roam, 
That  he  is  far  in  a  foreign  land, 
That  safe  he  may  come  home, 

Ah  me,  that  safe  he  may  come  home." 

Again  came  the  jingling  coins  and  the  ap- 
plause. A  look  of  comprehension  stole  into  the 
face  of  Valdez. 

"  Now,  my  man,"  said  the  Vice  Roy  abruptly. 
"  When  did  you  last  see  II  Liberator?  " 

"  A  year  ago !  " 

Inez  scowled.  She  feared  he  would  be  led  on, 
step  by  step.  The  next  moment  she  smiled  co- 
quettishly  at  Francisco. 

"  Senor  Vice  Roy,"  said  Maria,  from  the  bal- 
cony. She  was  ready  now  to  denounce  Inez. 

"  Be  still,"  said  the  Vice  Roy,  so  sternly  that 
Maria  subsided. 

"What  were  his  plans?"  he  continued,  ad- 
dressing Valdez. 

"  His  plans, "  said  Valdez  stupidly,  a  little  at 
a  loss. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  165 

"  Blood  of  the  saints,  what  did  he  say?  " 

"  Carramba,  that  he  was  going  to  Hayti !  " 

"  By  way  of  the  Andes?  "  said  the  Vice  Koy. 

Inez  shook  her  head. 

"  The  Andes — no,  they  are  not  on  the  way  to 
Hayti,"  replied  Valdez. 

Maria  saw  the  signal  made  by  Inez. 

"High  Mightiness!  High  Mightiness!"  she 
screamed. 

"  Corpse  of  infamy,  can  you  not  be  still?"  he 
said  in  wrath.  "  If  again  you  interrupt,  you 
shall  be  removed !  "  Again  Maria  subsided,  again 
the  Vice  Roy  turned  to  Valdez. 

"  And  now  about  the  spy — "  he  began. 

"  Eh,  noodle  of  an  idiot,  flames  of  purgatory — 
I  will  be  still  no  longer.  Spy!  Spy!  Look  to 
your  own  household — look  to  your  ward ! " 
screamed  Maria. 

This  time  the  Vice  Roy  started  to  his  feet  in 
anger. 

"  Are  you  insane?  "  he  said. 

"Insane?  No!"  she  cried.  "I  am  the  only 
sane  one  here — pah !  let  me  speak,  I  must  speak !  " 

"  Eh,  the  wind,  the  stream  .and  the  woman's 


166    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

tongue,  none  may  stop  them!  Speak  and  have 
done !  "  said  the  Vice  Roy. 

"  Well,  High  Mightiness,  did  you  notice  the 
words  of  Carmen's  song,  how  they  tallied  with  the 
prisoner's  answer?  Did  you  notice,  I  say,  did 
you  notice?  " 

"  Pah !  upon  my  soul  they  did,"  said  the  Vice 
Roy  startled. 

"  Eh !  "  interrupted  Inez  desperately,  hoping 
to  stop  the  stream  of  accusation  that  was  coming 
like  a  flood. 

"  You  yourself  asked  her  to  sing." 

"  Eh,  but  the  words,"  said  Maria.  She  had 
come  down  the  stairs  and  stood  just  below  Inez. 
The  others  watched  from  the  gallery  like  the 
audience  in  the  theater.  Some  of  them  uncon- 
sciously threw  themselves  in  effective  poses. 
They  were  delighted,  here  was  a  moment  worth 
while.  Some  of  the  senoritas  racked  their  brains 
to  see  if  they  could  not  think  of  something  so  as 
to  become  one  of  the  actors.  But  Maria  had  not 
paused,  she  was  speaking  all  the  time — 

"  Eh,  pah !  the  princess  of  the  song  is  the  prov- 
ince or  is  Inez  herself.  The  Lord  of  Hearts  is 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  167 

'  II  Liberator  ' — "  She  paused,  delighted  at  the 
sensation  caused  by  the  words.  "  For  his  fame 
— she  must  say  he  roams  afar — eh?  you  imbeciles, 
did  not  Valdez  look  at  her,  did  she  not  gesture, 
did  he  not  say, '  II  Liberator  was  in  Hayti '?  " 

"  Boom ! "  came  a  loud  reverberation  that 
shook  the  building. 

"  You  Judas,"  hissed  Inez. 

"  Aye,  Judas,"  screamed  Maria.  "  Eh,  si,  Ju- 
das! I  had  almost  forgotten.  Let  us  burn  Ju- 
das !  Let  the  '  Judases '  confront  each  other !  " 
Again  she  seized  the  flaming  wax  torch  and  ad- 
vanced toward  the  figure,  intent  on  lighting  the 
straw. 

"  Eh,  you  shall  not,  shall  not,"  said  Inez,  plac- 
ing herself  between  them.  "  Eh,  Mother  of 
Mercy !  "  she  said  to  the  Vice  Roy.  "  Listen  to 
me,  I  have  something  also,  eh,  I  may  speak ! " 

"  Blood  of  the  saints,  why  don't  you  speak?  " 
thundered  the  Vice  Roy.  Maria  made  an  at- 
tempt to  pass  Inez  and  light  the  straw.  Inez 
desperately  kept  her  back. 

"  Madre  a  dios !  "  she  exclaimed.  "  Pah — shall 
she  accuse  me —  Listen !  Listen,  all  of  you !  I 


168    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

will  accuse!  For  I  have  had  loyal  eyes  while 
you  were  blind — bah — you  shall  not  burn  him," 
she  addressed  Maria.  Exasperated,  the  Vice 
Roy  grew  purple  with  impatience. 

"  Burn — what?  "  he  shouted. 

"  Eh,  God  in  heaven,  is  there  no  other  way?  " 
said  Inez.  Then  turning  to  the  Vice  Roy,  speak- 
ing coldly  and  clearly,  she  said : 

"  Burn  what — burn  Judas — for  I  have  found 
out  what  none  of  you  know — in  Judas  is  con- 
cealed— the  Yankee  spy, — Senor  Clayton !  I  de- 
spise him  as  a  traitor,  I  loathe  him,  I  accuse  him, 
but  I  would  not  have  him  burnt !  " 

A  roar  of  ejaculations  volleyed  from  all  about 
the  courtyard.  A  dozen  officers  leaped  forward 
and  in  a  moment,  Tom  Clayton  was  pulled  from 
his  place  of  concealment  and  stood  before  them, 
not  quite  understanding  what  it  all  meant,  won- 
dering at  the  accusation  of  Inez,  but  still  cool 
enough  to  suspend  judgment. 

As  he  was  dragged  into  the  view  of  those  in  the 
courtyard,  such  was  their  surprise,  that  for  once, 
not  a  single  exclamation  or  weird  ejaculation  rose 
to  their  Spanish  lips.  The  point  of  wonder  had 

r 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  169 

been  reached  and  passed,  only  Judge  Clayton  was 
equal  to  the  occasion. 

"Well,  Ahm  jiggered,"  he  said. 

Meanwhile  Valdez  had  been  almost  forgotten. 
He  stood  stupefied,  trying  to  fathom  this  be- 
trayal, as  he  thought  it. 

"  Bah !  you  traitress,"  he  suddenly  exclaimed, 
pointing  to  Inez. 

"  Silence,  you  scoundrel,"  said  the  Vice  Hoy, 
convinced  by  the  action  of  Inez  that  Maria's  ac- 
cusations amounted  to  nothing.  "  Senorita  Inez 
has  done  her  duty." 

"  Eh,  and  I  thought  her  one  of  us,"  growled 
Valdez.  "  She  was  to  get  us  the  list.  He  said 
she  was  one  of  us  and  she  has  betrayed  him !  " 

"Oh  Padre!  Padre! "  .wailed  Carmen,  only 
thinking  that  her  father  was  falsely  accusing 
their  best  friend.  "  She  betrayed  him  to  save 
him.  He  would  have  been  burnt  alive !  " 

"  Eh — what?  "  A  look  of  enlightenment  flashed 
across  his  features. 

The  Vice  Roy  also  started 

"  Carramba — and  this  list  that  is  spoken  of — 
what  is  it?  "  said  he. 


i;o    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  That  list !  There,  in  her  hand !  "  snapped 
Maria,  pointing  to  Inez,  who  still  carelessly  held 
the  list  picked  up  in  the  courtyard,  in  her  hand. 

Inez  started.  Without  this  tell-tale  bit  of  real 
evidence  she  could  still  see  a  glimmer  of  hope. 
Her  word  was  as  good  as  Maria's.  But  there 
was  no  time  to  deliberate.  The  Vice  Roy  was  im- 
patiently holding  out  his  hand. 

"  Come,  that  paper,  give  it  to  me ! "  he  was 
saying.  Just  between  her  and  the  Vice  Roy,  the 
wax  torch  at  the  right  hand  foot  of  the  stairs 
guttered  and  flamed.  As  if  by  accident,  she  hur- 
riedly passed  the  paper  toward  the  Vice  Roy 
through  the  flames.  The  list  was  made  of  oiled 
paper.  With  a  crackle  and  snap,  it  was  in  an 
instant  aflame — a  moment  more  and  there  was 
nothing  left  of  it  but  a  pinch  of  ashes. 

"  Oh,  Mother  of  God ! "  wailed  Inez,  as  though 
overwhelmed  with  grief.  "  My  zeal  to  obey  you 
has  ruined  me.  That  which  should  have  con- 
founded my  accusers  is  destroyed  and  eh,  unlucky 
one,  has  destroyed  me ! " 

Maria  stamped  her  foot  with  vexation. 

"Eh,  don't  listen  to  her,"  she  cried.     "She 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  171 

burnt  it  on  purpose.  Pah !  don't  I  know  it?  did 
I  not  buy  it  from  Gomez?  Did  he  not  say  that 
she  to  see  whom  the  Yankee  came  was  the  spy — 
bah !  arrest  her !  " 

At  these  words,  Inez  faced  her  like  the  wrath 
of  fate. 

"  Eh — arrest  whom?  What?  You  accuse  me, 
the  Vice  Roy's  ward.  Out  of  her  own  mouth  she 
has  accused  herself!  Bah,  did  I  buy  a  list  from 
Gomez?  Did  I  walk  with  the  Yankee  this  morn- 
ing in  the  street.  At  whom  did  the  dead  man 
point  this  morning?  Eh — arrest!  You  want 
the  spy — there  is  the  spy,  Maria  Mercedes  Men- 
doza ! " 

"  Arrest  them  both !  "  said  the  Vice  Boy. 


PART  IY. 

HOW  THEY  CONDUCTED  A  TRIAL. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE  NIGHT  BEFORE. 

IT  was  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  and  about 
the  long  table  of  the  council  room,  sat  again  the 
Vice  Roy  and  his  staff.  The  officers,  in  spite  of 
the  exciting  scenes  that  they  had  witnessed  and 
the  absorbing  nature  of  their  deliberations  were  so 
sleepy  from  their  two  nights  of  wakefulness  that 
they  could  with  difficulty  attend  to  the  business 
before  them,  but  the  Vice  Roy,  his  face  gray  and 
grim,  looked  as  keenly  vigilant  as  usual.  Like 
an  ancient  hawk,  the  grandfather  of  all  the 
hawks,  with  keen  and  piercing  eyes,  he  watched 
his  officers  or  now  and  then,  walked  to  the  lattice 
and  gazed  in  the  darkness  toward  where  lay  be- 
yond the  Vega,  the  sullen  Andes,  or  listened  to 
the  cries  or  gusts  of  singing  that,  now  and  then, 
came  to  him  from  the  streets  of  the  city. 

175 


176    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

With  the  departure  of  the  guests  from  the 
Patio  and  the  hurrying  of  Clayton,  Inez,  Maria 
and  Valdez  to  prison,  the  news  of  the  arrests  had 
flown  through  the  city  and  a  dangerous  and  tur- 
bulent spirit  was  abroad. 

Among  the  lower  orders,  there  was  a  feeling 
of  unrest,  and  instead  of  going  to  their  homes 
after  the  burning  in  effigy  of  their  figure  of  "  Ju- 
das," they  gathered  here  and  there,  in  groups  of 
fiercely  talking  men,  who  separated  as  the  patrol 
approached  them  and  came  together  again  as 
the  tramp  of  the  soldiers  passed  from  their 
vicinity. 

A  rumor  spread  from  lip  to  lip,  no  one  knew 
whence  or  whither  that  "  II  Liberator  "  was  once 
more  at  hand  and  that  the  arrests  at  the  "  Patio  " 
were  connected  with  his  coming  and  these  rumors 
were  brought,  every  few  minutes,  to  the  Vice  Roy 
and  his  council,  but  were  so  vague,  indefinite  and 
uncertain  that  the  council  could  make  nothing  of 
them. 

Through  the  streets  tramped  the  patrols,  or- 
dering the  lights  extinguished  in  the  houses,  dis- 
persing the  knots  of  people  and  arresting  all 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  177 

found  singing  the  song  of  the  "  Charcoal  Burner  " 
that  every  now  and  then,  came  in  gusts  and 
snatches,  now  rising  loud  and  shrill,  now  mutter- 
ing low  and  menacing  from  this  quarter  and  that, 
as  though  the  city  were  a  vast  JEolian  harp,  an- 
swering the  rising  wind  of  Revolution. 

"  The  air  is  dark,  the  night  is  chill—" 
Came  the  music, 

"  Come,  charcoal-burner,  tend  yon  fire, 
The  fire  that  flames  from  mount  and  hill, 
Come,  charcoal-burner,  tend  the  fire." 

Was  it  imagination  or  did  the  Vice  Roy  see,  far 
away  toward  the  mountains,  twinkling  lights? 

"  The  flame  that  melts  from  swords  the  rust, 
That  turns  the  tyrant's  throne  to  dust, 
That  beckons,  come  I    You  must,  you  must ! 
Come  charcoal-burner,  tend  the  fire  !  " 

"  What  is  this  song?  "  said  Judge  Clayton,  who 
had  demanded  a  hearing  at  the  council.  "  What 
does  it  mean?" 

"  Senor,"  said  one  of  the  officers,  "  it  is  a 
song  of  the  people.  He  that  is  called  { II  Liber- 
ator ' — after  one  of  his  defeats,  burnt  charcoal 
for  a  living  in  one  of  the  southern  provinces.  His 


i;8    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

followers  were  called,  in  derision,  '  Charcoal 
Burners.'  II  Liberator  adopted  the  name  and  the 
song  sprang  into  being.  The  flame  is  supposed 
to  be  this  chimera  of  liberty,  their  flag  is  yellow 
and  seven  stars  are  emblazoned  upon  it.  When 
the  song  is  heard,  we  usually  expect  trouble." 

"  And  who  is  this  rebel  leader,"  said  the  Judge. 

"  Eh,  no  one  knows  certainly,"  said  the  of- 
ficer." "  But  doubtless,  a  low  fellow, — he  was 
rich  once  though;  some  say  he  was  the  natural 
son  of  a  great  Spanish  noble.  He  is  probably  a 
cowardly  demagogue,  making  what  he  can  of  his 
sporadic  risings." 

"  He  is  a  gentleman  born,"  came  the  sharp 
voice  of  the  Vice  Hoy.  "  Of  a  blood  that  never 
produced  cowards." 

The  officers  looked  at  each  other  in  surprise, 
but  the  Vice  Roy  vouchsafed  nothing  further  in 
explanation  of  his  words  but  called  the  council  to 
order. 

"  Senors,"  he  announced.  "  Judge  Clayton, 
the  American  Commissioner,  has  no  diplomatic 
functions,  or  representative  character,  but  has  de- 
manded for  his  nephew  a  trial.  I  think,  under 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  179 

the  treaty,  he  is  entitled  to  one.  At  any  rate,  I 
have  determined  that  he  shall  have  one,  a  court- 
martial." 

The  Vice  Roy  bowed  to  Judge  Clayton. 

"  Senor,"  he  continued,  "  I  would  not  deprive 
you  further  of  your  needed  repose." 

Judge  Clayton  understood  the  words  to  mean  a 
dismissal  and  withdrew.  As  he  left  the  room,  the 
Vice  Roy  turned  again  to  his  officers. 

"  Senors,  I  am  still  in  a  quandary,  in  great  per- 
plexity as  to  which  one  of  the  young  women,  ar- 
rested this  evening,  we  should  direct  our  atten- 
tion. The  accusation  of  Senorita  Maria  is  speci- 
fic, apparently  sincere.  She  is  the  daughter  of  an 
ancient  Spanish  house.  Her  father  was  an  Hi- 
dalgo, one  of  the  King's  household.  Just  before 
his  death,  Spain  was  in  the  throes  of  her  struggle 
with  France,  the  Indies  seemed  a  safer  asylum 
than  the  mother  country.  She  was  sent  here, 
reared  partly  in  one  of  our  most  loyal  houses, 
partly  in  the  convent  to  which  I  assigned  my 
ward,  became  the  betrothed  of  our  aide-de-camp. 
Francisco.  She  has  no  interest  or  liking  for  the 
people  here,  but  she  is  young,  beautiful,  coquet- 


i8o    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

tish — I  know  not  with  whom  she  has  met  or  with 
whom  she  may  have  had  a  flirtation.  Could  not 
the  Yankee  have  come  to  see  her?  and  yet  at  the 
council  yesterday,  when  Gomez  was  stabbed,  she 
was  the  first  to  accuse  the  Yankee. 

"  On  the  other  hand,  my  ward  has  been  guarded 
from  the  day  she  was  entrusted  to  me  till  now, 
like  a  state  prisoner,  a  hostage.  Her  chains  have 
been  silken,  she  has  not  known  they  were  there, 
but  every  moment  of  her  time  has  been  accounted 
for,  she  has  been  brought  up  in  my  own  house- 
hold and  in  the  convent  of  St.  Catherine.  Never, 
to  my  knowledge,  has  she  ever  been  abroad  unless 
accompanied  by  persons  who  have  reported  to  me 
her  every  word  or  look  or  gesture.  In  her  cham- 
ber has  slept  every  night  since  she  was  a  child, 
her  duenna — eh — you  look  wonderingly  at  me. 
Seuors,  I  have  had  my  reasons,  there  are  those 
who  had  an  interest  in  her,  against  whom  I  have 
guarded  her ;  those  who  would  not  have  hesitated 
to  have  abducted  her,  and  Senors,  not  only  has  her 
personal  safety  been  thus  guarded,  but  her  mind 
has  been  fortified  in  loyalty,  by  education,  by 
precept  and  example,  and  this  also  with  a  pur- 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  181 

pose — and  yet,  and  yet,  Senors,  before  she  went  to 
the  convent,  she  used  to  beg  for  gentler  measures, 
and,  this  last  year,  has  seemed  to  express  sym- 
pathy for  the  Rebels,  but  yesterday  you  heard  her 
interjections  at  the  questioning  of  the  condemned. 
But  how  could  she  have  seen  or  known  or  met 
this  Yankee?  Is  it  reasonable  to  suppose  he 
came  to  see  her?  Besides,  did  she  not  last  night 
accuse  him — eh — but  Valdez  said  strange  things 
— eh,  Senors,  I  do  not  know. 

"  Again,  this  Gomez  who  was  murdered — who 
really  was  he?  Whence  came  he?  And  this 
mysterious  Tom  Clayton  from  the  Andes!  The 
nephew  of  the  American  Commissioner.  I  would 
shoot  him  out  of  hand,  but  Senors,  let  me  con- 
fess it,  I  dare  not,  without  justification.  Senor 
Judge  Clayton  is  here  to  make  a  report  to  his 
government.  There  are  rumors  that  President 
Monroe  is  to  issue  an  important  message;  the 
character  of  that  message  may  be  determined  by 
the  report  of  Judge  Clayton.  Senor  Clayton 
must  have  a  trial,  he  must  be  shown  to  be  guilty 
and  how  can  this  be  done  unless  the  woman  who 


182    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

is  the  spy,  is  found,  that  he  came  to  see !  And 
who  is  she?  Suspicion  points  at  two,  but  which? 
"  And  behind  all  this,  Senors,  what  of  the  Arch 
Traitor?  What  is  he  doing?  Is  he  in  Hayti — 
and  what  has  so  stirred  the  people?  There  are 
mysteries  all  about  us !  I  believe  the  solution  of 
some  of  these  mysteries  is  in  the  minds  of  some  or 
all  of  the  persons  arrested  this  evening,  there- 
fore I  have  determined  to  also  try  one  of  these 
women;  from  the  trial  we  shall  learn  many 
things.  I  wish  that  you,  SeSor,"  he  indicated 
an  officer,  "  would  visit  Senorita  Maria  and  dis- 
cover, if  possible,  what  she  really  knows.  If  she 
seem  sincere,  loyal,  we  will  accept  her  as  a  gov- 
ernment witness.  For  myself,  I  will  visit  my 
ward.  I  wish  you  to  meet  us  here  at  sunrise, 
when  we  will  plan  how  this  '  trial '  is  to  be  con- 
ducted, till  then,  adios ! " 

It  was  almost  dawn  when  Inez  perceived  stand- 
ing in  the  corridor  outside  her  door  through 
which  the  guard  entered,  a  figure,  about  which 
was  wrapped  a  great  cloak  of  a  texture  finer 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  183 

than  those  of  the  prison  attendants.  It  was  the 
Vice  Koj  himself,  and  in  a  moment,  he  had  dis- 
missed the  guards  and  was  addressing  her. 

His  face,  for  the  moment,  had  lost  its  usual 
grim  expression,  his  manner  its  usual  harshness, 
and  Inez,  with  a  feeling  of  pity,  perceived  that 
he  seemed  old  and  even  feeble. 

"  High  Mightiness,"  she  said,  courtesying.  "  A 
poor  place  to  welcome  you,  but  it  is  all  you  have 
seen  fit  to  allow  me." 

"It  only  rests  with  yourself,  Inez,  how  long 
you  occupy  it." 

"  You  mean " 

"  Ah,  Inez,  you  are  not  guilty — bah !  from 
the  moment  you  first  were  entrusted  to  my  keep- 
ing, you  have  been  watched,  guarded,  protected 
against  the  poison  of  the  Revolution.  She  whom 
the  Yankee  came  to  see  is  the  spy — when  could 
you  have  met  the  Yankee  before?  " 

Swift  as  lightning,  Inez  reviewed  her  life — it 
was  true.  Ever  at  her  side  had  been  Donna  Isa- 
bella, the  Major  Domo,  a  trusted  officer.  Only 
within  the  Residence  itself,  or  at  the  convent 


184    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

where  she  had  been  educated,  had  she  ever  had 
even  a  moment  to  herself.  Only  four  times  when 
out  of  doors,  had  she  been  without  this  constant 
attendance.  Once  and  twice  and  thrice,  in  the 
remote  village  when  waiting  for  the  Vice  Roy, 
when,  during  Isabella's  siesta,  she  had  stolen 
away  to  see  Clayton  when  he  was  a  prisoner ;  the 
other  time  when  she  had  been  in  II  Liberator's 
camp.  Neither  of  these  adventures  were  within 
the  knowledge  of  the  Vice  Koy,  for  the  first,  no 
one  knew  except  a  guard,  now  a  thousand  miles 
away,  the  second  was  as  well  unknown,  for  she 
had  reached  the  village  long  before  Francisco, 
Maria  and  Donna  Isabella,  and  none  of  them  had 
suspected  that  she  had  been  concealed  in  the  hut, 
while  they  were  prisoners  in  the  camp. 

"  You  give  me  strange  attendants  now,"  she 
said. 

"  Eh — I  could  do  no  otherwise.  But  last  week, 
on  a  less  specific  accusation  than  Maria's,  your 
friend  Clara,  daughter  of  the  commandant  him- 
self, was  imprisoned  and  shot.  I  cannot  treat  my 
own  less  tenderly." 

This  was  true,  Seuorita  Clara,  absolutely  inno- 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  185 

cent,  as  Inez  knew,  had  been  shot  at  sunrise  on 
the  accusation  of  a  servant  that  her  library  con- 
tained books  under  the  ban.  One  phrase  caught 
the  girl's  attention. 

"  Your  own,"  she  queried.  "  Our  relation  is 
that  merely  of  guardian  and  ward !  " 

"  Inez,  your  blood  and  mine  are  the  same ! " 

"  You — you  are  not  my  father?  " 

«  *$Q  i »  iphe  ^in  jjpg  came  together  with  a 
snap. 

"  But — who  is  my  father, — I  want  to  know, — 
why  have  you  brought  me  up,  treated  me  like  a 
captive  princess,  like  a  hostage?  " 

"  You  have  been  a  hostage !  " 

"  Eh,  Jesu !  but  our  blood,  you  say,  is  the  same, 
what  is  our  relationship — eh,  Jesu!  I  am  in 
the  shadow  of  death,  I  would  know  who  I  am." 

"  A  brand  saved  from  the  burning." 

"  My  father,  I  have  heard  was — "  she  was 
about  to  say  "  patriot,"  but  changed  the  term,  she 
must  measure  every  word,  "  a  rebel." 

A  wrinkle  of  pain  twitched  across  the  stern 
Roman  face  of  the  Vice  Roy. 

"  Who  told  you?  "  he  demanded. 


i86    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

The  words  of  II  Liberator  came  back  to  her. 

"  A  poor  soldier  hiding  in  the  grass,"  she  said. 

"  Did  he  tell  you  more?  " 

"  No,  High  Mightiness,  no ;  but  you  will — ah, 
who  was  my  father?  " 

"  A  criminal,"  said  the  Vice  Boy.  "  I  have 
forgotten  his  name.  It  was  not  that  by  which  we 
have  called  you;  but  enough,  it  was  of  other 
things  I  came  to  talk." 

Then  he  offered  her  pardon  if  she  would  ex- 
plain the  things  that  were  such  a  mystery.  Her 
whole  knowledge  of  Clayton,  the  meaning  of 
Maria's  story  of  the  list,  the  song,  for  the  Vice 
Roy  was  sorely  perplexed.  So  much  told  against 
her  and  yet  she  herself  had  accused  Clayton. 
Were  it  not  for  Maria,  he  would  willingly  have 
thought  her  innocent.  Even  now  he  was  inclined 
to  believe  her  accusation  of  Maria,  but  she  must 
frankly  tell  him  everything.  Inez  obdurately  re- 
fused to  say  a  word.  She  had  determined  on  her 
course  of  action  and  proudly  told  him  that  she 
would  rely  on  his  long  care  of  her  to  protect  her, 
he  himself  had  declared  it  to  be  impossible  for  her 
to  have  had  communication  with  an  enemy. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  187 

Finally  the  Vice  Roy  left  her  and  returned  to 
the  Residence,  there  to  meet  with  an  officer  who 
had  been  dispatched  to  talk  with  Maria,  and  this 
officer  reported  that  Maria  would  gladly  aid  the 
government  and  then  set  forth  in  such  detail,  her 
statements,  that  the  Vice  Roy,  sadly  shaking  his 
head,  signed  an  order  for  the  release  of  Maria  and 
for  the  immediate  trial  of  Inez  and  Clayton. 

"  Eh,  Jesu !  it  is  in  the  blood,"  he  said,  as  he 
signed  the  papers. 

"  Pardon,  excellency/'  said  an  officer. 

"  Eh,  nothing !  Let  us  plan  for  this  trial," 
and  the  council  began  to  consult  in  regard  to  the 
forthcoming  trials. 

It  was  nearly  dawn  far  away  in  the  foothills 
of  the  Andes,  the  startled  mountain  sheep  came 
bounding  downward,  for  an  army  of  phantoms, 
it  seemed,  gaunt,  thin  men,  in  ragged  uniforms, 
swarmed  through  the  narrow  paths. 

"  There  is  the  city,"  said  Du  Plessis.  He 
pointed  to  where  the  cross  of  the  cathedral  in  the 
City  of  the  Hills,  flashed  in  the  sunlight.  "  Why 
not,  at  once,  advance?  " 


i88    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  Wait  for  the  signal,"  said  II  Liberator. 
"  Clayton  has  not  returned.  I  do  not  know 
whether  the  people,  without  whom  we  are  power- 
less, will  rise ! " 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  i8g 


CHAPTER  II. 

JUDGE  CLAYTON  CONSULTS  WITH  FRANCISCO. 

JUDGE  CLAYTON,  in  his  own  country,  had  been  a 
famous  criminal  lawyer.  "  Ah  wonderful  man, 
suh.  Ah  discombobilating  man,  suh !  Mali 
grandfather  knew  him ! "  old  men  will  tell  you 
even  to-day,  down  in  the  blue  grass  region. 

Indeed,  the  case  of  State  of  Kentucky  vs.  Ring- 
wold  and  of  United  States  vs.  Grierson,  in  which 
he  appeared  for  the  defense  are  still  quoted  as 
classics,  while  he  was  eagerly  sought  as  an  as- 
sociate or  feared  as  an  opponent,  not  only  by  the 
brilliant  bar  of  his  own  state,  but  by  such  giants 
of  the  profession  as  Mason  of  New  Hampshire, 
Crook  and  Routledge  of  Virginia,  and  Webster 
and  Choate  of  Massachusetts.  In  his  younger 
days,  he  had  successfully  met  the  brilliant  attack 


THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

of  Alexander  Hamilton  and  had  also  worsted  the 
subtle  and  wily  Aaron  Burr  of  New  York. 

As  soon,  therefore,  as  he  had  gained  the  prom- 
ise of  a  trial  for  Tom,  he  went  to  his  room,  had  a 
steaming  pot  of  black  coffee  made  ready,  lit  a 
cigar,  took  off  his  coat  and  tipping  himself  back 
in  his  chair,  with  his  feet  elevated  upon  the  table 
in  front  of  him,  began  to  think  out  a  defense. 
First,  however,  he  summoned  a  servant  and  told 
him  to  ask  Lieutenant  Francisco  to  attend  him 
at  his  room  as  soon  as  he  conveniently  could. 

"Also,  put  out  some  whisky  and  cigars,"  he 
added. 

For  an  hour,  he  made  notes  on  the  cuffs  of  his 
fine  linen  shirt  with  a  pencil  stub,  drank  black 
coffee  and  smoked.  At  the  end  of  that  time,  the 
servant  announced  that  Lieutenant  Francisco 
was  in  attendance. 

"  Ahem !  "  said  the  Judge.  He  took  down  his 
heels  from  the  table,  rose  from  his  chair,  reas- 
sumed  his  coat,  frowned  deeply,  made  a  graceful 
gesture  with  his  hand  and  said,  "  Tell  him  I  am 
engaged  for  a  few  moments  with  the  Chief  Jus- 
tice!" 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  191 

"  Senor !  "  said  the  astonished  servant. 

"  Oh,  I  forgot  myself,"  said  the  Judge.  "  Show 
him  up." 

A  few  moments  later,  Francisco  entered.  The 
Judge  greeted  him  with  such  grave  and  stately 
courtesy  that  Francisco's  estimation  of  himself, 
rose  if  possible,  a  hundred  per  cent.  He  drank 
with  some  spluttering,  for  the  Spaniards  are,  as  a 
rule,  abstemious,  the  glass  of  whisky  that  the 
Judge  offered  him  and  began  a  long  sentence  full 
of  compliments.  The  Judge  listened  courteously 
and  at  its  conclusion,  came  strictly  to  business. 

"  Seiior,"  he  said,  "  in  my  own  country,  I  al- 
ways begin  a  criminal  trial  by  calling  on  the  Dis- 
trict Attorney  and  asking  for  a  continuance. 
You  are  under  military  law  here,  I  understand, 
but  you  are  Judge  Advocate,  I  would  ask  you  for 
a  continuance.  I  am  unprepared  and  wish  time 
to  engage  counsel." 

"  Impossible,"  said  Francisco.  "  The  interests 
of  the  public  demand  an  immediate,  rigorous  and 
severe  prosecution.  Ah,  I  would  advise  a  plea  of 
guilty  and  an  appeal  to  the  clemency  of  the  court. 


192    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

If  you  do  so,  I  can  make  no  promises,  but  will 
not  oppose  what  you  say." 

He  spoke  glibly,  as  though  reciting  a  formula. 

"  Thank  you,"  said  the  Judge. 

"  But  why  '  thanks/  "  said  Francisco. 

"  You  make  me  feel  at  home  by  your  remarks," 
said  the  Judge.  "And  lead  me  to  believe  that 
your  procedure  is  somewhat  like  our  own." 

"  Senor,"  said  Francisco.  "  This  is  the  first 
trial  held  for  ten  years.  Eh,  Senor,  the  Council 
has  appealed  to  me,  as  Judge  Advocate,  to  draw 
up  the  form  of  procedure.  Alas!  I  never 
thought  there  would  be  held  a  trial  and  all  the 
memory  that  remains  to  me  of  my  early  studies 
is  dim.  At  a  courtmartial,  however,  the  ques- 
tions and  answers  are  in  writing,  and  thus,  and 
thus — "  he  continued,  explaining  the  matter  fully. 

"  By  all  means,"  said  the  Judge.  "  But  about 
these  questions  and  answers  being  in  writing, 
may  that  not  be  waived?  " 

"Oh,  assuredly,"  said  Francisco.  "Particu- 
larly if  I  tell  the  Council  that  by  so  doing  we 
shall  be  more  likely  to  catch  the  prisoners  trip- 
ping." 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  193 

"  You  are  not  particular,  yourself,  about  a 
conviction?" 

"  No — by  the  love  of  God,"  said  Francisco.  "  I 
am  not — those  two  beautiful  girls  shot — exe- 
crable ! " 

"  I  think  perhaps  we  may  come  to  an  under- 
standing," said  the  Judge. 

Then  he  began  to  talk,  clearly,  logically,  in- 
cisively, to  Francisco.  The  latter  listened 
eagerly,  nodding  his  head  from  time  to  time 
energetically. 

"  Wonderful,"  he  said  when  the  Judge  had  con- 
cluded. "  Marvelous ! " 

"  Now,"  said  the  Judge.  "  Give  me  the  names 
of  the  leading  advocates  here.  I  as  stranger 
would  not  presume  to  personally  undertake  the 
matter." 

"  There  are  none,  Senor — all  dead  or  banished 
twelve  years  ago — eh — you  look  astonished — pah ! 
what  would  you?  They  defended  the  accused  so 
vigorously  that  it  became  tiresome  for  the  govern- 
ment,— they  had  determined  to  convict  anyway — 
the  advocates  were  a  waste  of  time — so,  Senor, 
those  that  were  not  shot  were  banished." 


194    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

Francisco  spoke  as  though  the  Judge  must  of 
course  see  the  sweet  reasonableness  of  it  all. 

"  I — I  don't  believe  I  ever  shall  be  able  to  learn 
your  procedure,"  gasped  the  Judge. 

"  On  the  contrary,  you  understand  it  per- 
fectly," said  Francisco.  "Adios,  it  is  late — or 
rather,  early,  I  must  go ! "  He  bowed  himself 
out. 

When  he  reached  the  street,  he  stopped  for  a 
moment  as  though  of  a  mind  to  return. 

"  Ass  that  I  am,"  he  muttered.  "  I  neglected 
to  tell  of  that  form  of  procedure  pertaining  to 
Donna  Espana — but  bah — doubtless  in  his  own 
country,  they  do  the  same."  He  shrugged  his 
shoulders  and  continued  on  his  way. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  195 


CHAPTER  III. 

"  COMB  IN  TO  COURT." 

THE  trial  was  to  take  place  in  the  hall  of  the 
prison,  once  the  convent  of  the  Capucins.  This 
vast  building,  upon  which  millions  of  pesatas  and 
countless  hours  of  unpaid  labor  were  expended, 
early  in  the  seventeenth  century,  stands  to-day 
as  grim,  as  massive  and  as  forbidding,  as  when 
first  erected.  It  is  built  of  great  blocks  of  gray- 
ish stone  that  were  quarried  in  the  mountains 
and  dragged  by  the  hands  of  Indians  to  the  city. 
Each  stone,  it  is  said,  cost  at  least  one  life  and 
the  tradition  is  that  it  has  so  long  escaped  the 
ravages  of  earthquakes,  tempests  and  revolutions, 
because  the  cement  that  fastens  it  together,  was 
mixed  with  the  blood  of  those  whose  labor  built 
it. 


196    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

In  1819  it  was  used  as  a  prison  and  in  its  great 
hall,  such  trials  as  were  held,  were  conducted. 
This  vast  room  was  on  the  second  story  of  the 
building  and  was  only  enclosed  on  three  sides. 
The  fourth  was  formed  of  open  arches  through 
which  could  be  seen  the  Vega,  rolling  away  in 
billows  to  meet  the  Andes,  that  lofty,  snow-cov- 
ered and  glittering,  were  the  last  sight  upon 
which  rested  the  eyes  of  the  prisoners  condemned 
to  death. 

Through  the  right  end  of  the  room,  as  one 
looked  toward  the  mountains  and  forming  part 
of  its  wall,  rose  a  round  tower,  thrusting  its  way 
upward  from  the  foundation  to  the  roof,  contain- 
ing a  spiral  stairway  to  which  entrance  was 
gained  from  the  hall  by  a  rusty  iron  door.  On 
the  opposite  side,  an  open  stairway  of  stone  led 
to  an  upper  gallery  and  from  this  gallery  opened 
doors  that  led  to  the  apartments  in  which  dwelt 
the  officers  of  the  prison  and  also  to  a  great  din- 
ing hall,  built  about  four  sides  of  a  courtyard, 
in  which  the  Vice  Roy  entertained  his  officers 
and  his  guests  during  a  recess  of  the  hearings  or 
frequently  sat  with  them  at  dinner  while  the 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  197 

condemned  were  being  shot,  the  different  courses 
being  announced  by  the  volleys  of  the  firing 
squad. 

These  entertainments,  however,  occurred  only 
when  prisoners  of  importance  were  being  exam- 
ined, tried  or  executed,  the  lesser  criminals  being 
disposed  of  as  we  have  seen,  at  the  council  room 
of  the  Residence,  as  part  of  the  daily  routine. 

On  the  fourth  side  of  the  hall  was  an  elevated 
platform,  over  which  was  a  red  and  gold  canopy, 
and  upon  which  was  placed  the  Vice  Roy's  chair 
of  state.  About  and  behind  it  were  curtains  and 
behind  the  curtains  and  concealed  by  them,  a 
niche  in  the  wall,  from  which  ran  an  under- 
ground passage  to  the  Residence  a  mile  or  more 
away.  Below  this  were  the  chairs  of  the  three 
officers  wrho  acted  as  judges;  in  front  of  them,  a 
long  table,  in  front  of  this  again,  was  another 
chair  and  a  smaller  table  for  the  clerk. 

The  city,  after  its  night  of  unrest,  was  still. 
The  day  was  fair.  No  messenger  had  come  to 
explain  the  sounds  in  the  Andes  and  the  Vice 
Roy  had  concluded  that  they  really  were  caused 
by  thunder.  The  real  explanation  was  that  no 


i98    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

one  had  escaped  from  the  mountain  fortress  to 
tell  the  story. 

The  trial  began  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning 
of  the  fifteenth  of  August,  1821,  and  as  the  herald 
announced  the  opening  of  the  court,  he  bowed 
first  to  the  Vice  Roy  and  the  Judges,  seated  in 
their  respective  places,  then  turned  to  those  that 
had  gathered  to  witness  the  trial  of  Inez,  ward  of 
the  Vice  Roy  of  the  King  and  Thomas  Clayton, 
(Clayton,  they  call  him)  nephew  of  the  Com- 
missioner of  the  United  States  of  America. 

"  Viva  il  Rey !  "  shouted  the  crier.  "  The  Court 
is  open ! "  Pausing  a  moment  and  turning  toward 
the  iron  door  at  the  base  of  the  tower,  he  con- 
tinued :  "  Come  in  to  Court,  Senorita  Inez  y  Per- 
dita  Diaz,  and  answer  to  the  accusation  of  the 
King  of  Spain."  Again  he  paused.  The  flutter- 
ing fans  of  the  ladies  among  the  spectators  were 
for  a  moment  still ;  the  audience  looked  intently 
at  the  iron  door.  They  expected  to  see  enter,  a 
crushed,  humbled,  tearful  culprit.  Instead,  a 
radiant,  magnificent  creature  swept  into  the  hall, 
her  head  high,  her  cheeks  flushed,  her  eyes  shin- 
ing, dressed,  not  as  was  expected,  in  some  rough 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  199 

and  disfiguring  garment,  but  clad  in  gleaming 
white,  with  jewels  flashing  and  great  ropes  of 
pearls  wound  round  her  waist  and  hanging  pend- 
ent from  it.  Judge  Clayton  had  dispatched  to 
Inez  her  maid,  early  in  the  morning,  after  consul- 
tation with  Donna  Isabella,  with  a  big  basket, 
and  had  obtained  permission  for  her  to  receive  it. 
The  result  was  before  them. 

For  a  moment,  they  gasped  in  astonishment; 
then  a  murmur  of  admiration  and  approval  swept 
about  the  room,  the  great  fans  fluttered,  the 
dresses  of  the  women  billowed  and  rustled,  the 
swords  of  the  officers  clanked  and  jingled,  as  in- 
stinctively they  rose,  courtesied  and  bowed  as 
they  had  been  accustomed,  to  Inez,  wrard  of  the 
Vice  Roy  and  still  the  first  lady  of  the  province. 

"  Muchos  gracias,"  she  said,  courtesying  in  re- 
turn. "  Eh !  Senors,  you  are  not  gallant,  I  would 
sit!" 

A  dozen  officers  sprang  forward  to  give  her  a 
chair.  She  courtesied  to  the  nearest  and  seated 
herself. 

"  Eh !  Excellent ! "  said  Donna  Isabella. 
"  See  the  results  of  good  training.  We  have  been 


200    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

mistaken,  what  we  are  to  see  is  the  trial  of  the 
Vice  Boy,  not  of  the  ward." 

"  Eh !  Magnificent !  "  said  Francisco  to  Judge 
Clayton.  "  She  also  understands  the  proper  pro- 
cedure at  a  Spanish  trial." 

"  Bah ! "  said  an  officer,  "  If  only  Clayton  is 
condemned,  Eh!  we  will  raise  a  riot  to  rescue 
her!" 

"  Jesu — how  brazen !  "  said  Maria,  who  was  of 
the  witnesses. 

"  Senor  Clayuton,"  announced  the  Herald. 
"  Come  into  court  and  answer  to  the  accusation 
of  the  King  of  Spain." 

Again  there  was  a  craning  of  necks,  again  the 
quiet  and  then  the  slow  sweep  of  the  fans,  again 
the  iron  door  opened  and  Tom  Clayton  entered. 

"  Buenos  Dies,"  he  said,  his  Spanish  perfect. 
"  Senoritas,  I  kiss  your  feet !  " 

"  Eh,  eh !  "  grunted  a  guard,  "  Salute  the  Vice 
Roy!" 

"  High  Mightiness,"  said  Tom,  "  I  am  here." 

His  salutation  of  the  ladies  first,  again  caught 
the  fancy  of  even  the  most  punctilious  of  the 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  201 

audience,  his  quiet  dignity  in  addressing  the  Vice 
Roy  still  further  won  them. 

"  Eh,  Jesu,"  said  one  senorita,  "  such  a  pity  he 
should  be  shot  for  coming  to  see  Inez.  Eh — 
if  he  had  but  come  to  see  me ! " 

"  Ah !  He  is  looking  at  me,  suppose  Inez 
should  be  condemned  and  he  acquitted ! "  said 
another. 

Gradually  the  audience  settled  itself  to  listen. 
The  faces  of  the  three  officers  assumed  the  proper 
solemnity  of  expression.  The  clerk  had  finished 
sharpening  his  quill  pen,  the  officious  court  offi- 
cers had  ceased  crying  "  Silence !  " 

"  Is  it  the  wish  of  your  High  Mightiness  that 
we  proceed?"  said  the  President  of  the  Judges, 
Colonel  Robeldo,  to  the  Vice  Koy. 

"  Proceed,"  said  the  latter,  who  took  no  part 
in  the  trial,  other  than  as  a  spectator,  except 
that  the  findings  of  the  court  were  to  be  imme- 
diately submitted  to  him  for  approval. 

"  The  Judge  Advocate  will  proceed,"  said  Ro- 
beldo to  Francisco. 

Then  occurred  the  second  event  of  the  trial  to 
delightfully  excite  the  spectators.  Francisco,  in 


202    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

full  uniform,  a  flower  in  his  buttonhole,  carrying 
his  military  cloak  and  plumed  hat,  gloved,  cor- 
rect, walked  forward  and  addressed  the  court. 

"  Senors,  I  resign !  " 

"Carramba,"  said  the  Vice  Roy,  startled  out 
of  his  dignified  attitude  of  aloofness.  "  'Tis  un- 
heard of,  no  Judge  Advocate  ever  resigns." 

"  Nevertheless,"  said  Francisco.  "  I  resign — 
bah !  What  would  you,  one  of  the  witnesses  is  my 
late  betrothed.  I  am  convinced  she  will  commit 
perjury,  my  honor  as  a  gentleman  would  not  per- 
mit me  to  bring  the  matter  to  the  honorable 
court's  attention." 

"  Bones  of  an  idiot !  What  now  are  you  do- 
ing? "  said  the  exasperated  Vice  Roy. 

"A  moment — a  moment — permit  me,  High 
Mightiness,"  continued  Francisco.  He  waved 
his  hand  gracefully  and  went  on.  "  Of  one  of 
the  accused,  I  cherish  hopes.  Should  she  by  my 
efforts  be  condemned,  be  shot — eh,  Jesu !  think 
should  she  be  my  wife,  she  would  then  throw  it 
in  my  face  forever  afterward.  Bah — I  resign !  " 

Only  Judge  Clayton  apparently  perceived  the 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  203 

unconscious  bull.  His  face  turned  purple  as  he 
tried  to  preserve  his  dignity. 

"  It  is  necessary  another  be  appointed,"  said 
Robeldo  to  the  Vice  Roy. 

Captain  Romero  came  forward  eagerly. 

"  I  demand  the  appointment,"  he  said.  "  I  am 
the  next  on  the  army  list  for  a  staff  appoint- 
ment." 

The  officers  in  the  room  looked  somewhat  dis- 
gusted. For  Romero  to  be  a  line  officer,  to  con- 
duct massacres,  was  one  thing;  for  him  to  asso- 
ciate with  them  as  a  member  of  the  staff,  a  social 
equal,  was  quite  another. 

"  You  may  act,"  said  the  Vice  Roy  curtly. 

"  Er — er — "  stuttered  Romero,  somewhat  at  a 
loss  as  to  what  was  expected  of  him. 

"  Ask  that  the  indictment  be  read,"  whispered 
the  clerk. 

"  On  behalf  of  the  prisoner,  Clayton,  I  waive 
the  reading,"  said  Judge  Clayton. 

"  Senorita  Inez?  "  queried  the  clerk. 

Judge  Clayton  nodded  to  her. 

"  I  also  waive  the  reading,"  answered  Inez. 

A   sigh   of  relief  came   from   the   spectators. 


204    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

Clayton  and  Inez  again  had  won  their  favor.  To 
listen  to  the  interminable  verbiage  of  the  docu- 
ment would  be  such  a  nuisance. 

"  I  think  I  ought  to  say  here,"  said  Judge  Clay- 
ton, "  that  I  shall  demand,  on  the  part  of  Seuor 
Clayton,  a  separate  trial — the  indictment  charges 
them  both  in  brief,  I  understand,  with  High 
Treason.  The  defenses  are  different,  my  nephew, 
as  an  American,  owes  no  allegiance  to  King 
Ferdinand ! " 

"  The  devil,  that  is  so ! "  said  the  clerk. 

"  Pah !  said  the  Vice  Roy.  "  I  confess  that  the 
point  altogether  escaped  me." 

"  Eh ! "  said  Romero.  "  The  evidence  is  the 
same  against  them  both.  Why  delay  matters?  " 

"  The  request  is  granted,"  said  Robeldo. 

"  Then,"  said  Romero.  "  I  will  try  first, 
Senorita  Inez." 

"  Ask  her  if  she  will  plead,"  said  Robeldo. 

"  Senorita  Inez,"  said  the  clerk,  in  a  sing-song 
voice.  "  Are  you  guilty  or  not  guilty  of  the 
charges  in  the  indictment  contained,  the  reading 
whereof  you  have  waived?  " 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  205 

Inez,  who  had  risen  as  the  clerk  addressed  her, 
courtesied. 

"  Senors,"  she  said,  "  you  have  accused  me,  you 
yourselves  shall  determine  concerning  me.  I  re- 
fuse to  answer  you." 

"  Write,"  said  Robeldo,  "  that  Sefiorita  Inez 
refuses  to  plead." 

"  Ah ! "  breathed  Judge  Clayton,  vastly  re- 
lieved. She  had  done  what  he  had  hoped  she 
wrould  do,  but  what  he  had  been  unable  to  tell  her. 

The  same  formula  was  gone  through  with  as  to 
Clayton.  He  also  refused  to  plead.  This  meant 
that  neither  one  could  produce  witnesses.  It 
also  meant  that  neither  one  could  be  asked  ques- 
tions. It  left  the  government  to  prove  its  case  by 
testimony  aside  from  that  of  the  accused  them- 
selves. 

It  was  Judge  Clayton's  idea.  Usually  those 
accused  by  the  government  were  eager  to  testify, 
and  their  most  innocent  statements  would  be  dis- 
torted into  an  admission  of  guilt. 

The  resignation  of  Francisco  had  also  been 
planned  by  the  Judge.  It  was  for  two  reasons, 
one  for  delay,  the  other,  that  the  sympathy  of 


206    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

the  audience  and  the  Judges  might  be  gained  by 
the  spectacle  of  these  two  charming  young  people 
being  "  hunted  "  as  it  were,  by  the  brutal  negro, 
who  was  generally  hated,  besides  Judge  Clayton 
knew  he  was  next  on  the  list,  and  had  perhaps 
counted  on  his  lack  of  intelligence. 

"  Proceed  with  the  trial  of  Seuorita  Inez," 
said  Robeldo. 

"  The  witnesses  for  the  king  will  come  forward 
and  be  sworn,"  said  the  clerk.  Maria  and  Val- 
dez  were  escorted  to  the  Judges'  table  and  sworn. 
Judge  Clayton  looked  relieved;  he  had  expected 
many  more. 

"  Eh !  "  said  the  Vice  Roy.  "  But  the  young 
girl  Carmen — where  is  she?  " 

"Eh!  The  devil!"  said  one  of  the  judges, 
"  We  forgot  all  about  her  last  night.  She  escaped 
in  the  confusion — but  these  will  answer  our  pur- 
pose." 

"  Valdez ! "  said  Romero. 

Valdez  seated  himself  in  the  chair  reserved 
for  witnesses. 

"Your  name!"  said  Romero. 

"  Valdez ! " 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  207 

"A  peon?" 

"Si!" 

"  Late  of  '  II  Renegade's  >  army?  " 

"  Late  of  '  II  Liberator's '  army?  " 

"  Last  night  at  the  Patio,  you  said  the  prisoner, 
Senorita  Inez,  was  '  one  of  us.'  " 

Judge  Clayton  had  expected  that  the  question 
would  be  as  to  whether  Valdez  knew  Clayton, 
and  as  to  whether  the  latter  had  been  also  of  "  II 
Liberator's  "  army  and  as  to  whether  or  not  Yal- 
dez  knew  why  Clayton  had  come  to  the  city,  but 
Romero  neglected  so  to  do.  He  assumed  that 
many  things  that  ought  to  have  been  shown  by 
testimony  were  already  known  to  the  Judges. 
Besides,  he  considered  the  whole  trial  a  farce, 
there  could  be  no  question  but  what  there  would 
be  a  conviction.  Judge  Clayton  silently  chuckled 
as  he  noticed  the  blunder. 

"  Si !  "  said  Valdez. 

"  Meaning  of  the  rebels." 

«  Si— of  the  patriots." 

"Why?" 

"  I  thought  her  too  good,  too  noble  to  be  a 
Spaniard,"  said  Valdez. 


208    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"Carramba,  you  trifle,"  said  Romero.  "Well 
you  are  a  rebel !  " 

"  Si ! " 

"  And  you  said  she  was  one  of  us." 

"  I  said  I  thought  her  one  of  us — si !  " 

"  That  is  all,"  said  Romero,  vastly  pleased  at 
the  sound  of  his  own  voice  and  forgetting  that  he 
had  never  mentioned  the  list  or  the  song  or  a 
dozen  other  things,  and  not  suspecting  he  had 
left  any  holes  in  the  testimony. 

"  Senors,"  said  Judge  Clayton,  "  solely  in  the 
interests  of  my  nephew,  may  I  ask  a  few  ques- 
tions?" 

He  had  determined,  if  it  were  possible,  to 
clear  Inez,  although  realizing  that  he  might 
possibly  by  so  doing,  not  help  Tom,  but  he  argued 
"  if  I  can  get  her  off  in  the  face  of  their  certainty 
that  she  is  guilty,  I  shall  shake  them  in  their 
determination  to  shoot  everybody  and  they  will 
hesitate  on  account  of  Tom's  nationality,  to  act 
precipitately  in  regard  to  him.  He  spoke  most 
courteously.  Robeldo,  as  courteously,  signified 
assent  to  his  request. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  209 

"  You  said,  you  thought  her  one  of  us,"  he  be- 
gan. 

"Si!" 

"  That  was  what,  guess-work?  " 

"Si!" 

"Simply  your  guess?" 

"Si!" 

"  But — but — "  sputtered  Romero. 

"  Be  silent,"  said  Robeldo.  "  You  must  not 
interrupt." 

Judge  Clayton  continued.  "  Well,  you  also 
said,  last  night,  did  you  not,  l  she  is  true  to 
Spain  ' — was  that  guess-work?  " 

"  No — I  knew  she  was  true  to  Spain  when  she 
accused  Senor  Clayton." 

"  And  you  heard  her  say  you  ought  to  be 
'  strong  for  execution.' —  So  that  it  will  hurt." 

"  Si ! " 

"  And  her  say  of  Tom  Clayton,  '  I  loathe  him 
and  despise  him  as  a  traitor '  or  words  to  that 
effect." 

"  Si !  "  said  Valdez. 

"  I  think  that  will  do,"  said  Judge  Clayton  and 
sat  down.  The  audience  looked  interested. 


210    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  To  be  sure,"  said  one  to  the  other,  "  he  only 
guessed  she  was  a  rebel — what  presumption !  " 

"  Maria !  "  said  Romero  coarsely. 

"  I  will  have  you  understand,"  said  Maria, 
taking  the  witness-stand,  "that  my  name  is 
Seiiorita  Maria  y  Mercedes  Mendoza." 

"  Your  condition?  " 

"A  countess — I  was  born  in  Spain,  I  live  in 
this  city." 

"  Tell  what  you  know  of  the  connection  of  the 
accused  with  the  Revolution." 

"  Eh,  Senors,"  said  Maria,  "  I  can  tell  you 
things.  From  her  earliest  years  she  has  ex- 
pressed sympathy  with  the  condemned." 

"  One  moment,"  said  Judge  Clayton,  interrupt- 
ing. "  I  object." 

"  Why?  "  queried  Romero. 

"  She  said  '  expressed  sympathy ' — that  may 
mean  that  Inez  was  sorry  they  were  rebels.  I 
am — you  are.  I  would  know  what  was  actually 
said." 

"  Assuredly,"  said  Robeldo.  "  It  should  make 
a  stronger  case.  Tell  us  what  she  actually  said." 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  211 

"  Eh — pesta,"  said  Maria.  "  It  was  so  long 
ago,  I  cannot  remember." 

"  Precisely,"  interjected  Judge  Clayton.  Maria 
glared  at  him  and  continued. 

"  Well,  she  wore  Revolutionary  colors,  men 
came  to  her  lattice.  Yesterday  morning,  I  came 
to  her  house  early;  there  was  a  beggar  there. 
Later,  I  returned.  Gomez,  the  man  who  was  later 
assassinated,  was  there.  He  showed  me  a  list 
of  rebels'  names.  I  bought  it,  he  thought  I  was 
Inez." 

"  One  moment,"  said  Judge  Clayton.  "  How 
could  she  possibly  know  what  he  thought?  " 

"  Bah !  "  said  Maria.  "  He  called  me  Inez,  he 
told  me  that  one  told  him." 

"  Hold  on,  hold  on,"  said  the  Judge.  "  Can 
she  testify  as  to  what  some  one  said  some  one 
else  told  him?" 

"  Well — how  else  can  I  show  anything?  "  said 
Romero. 

"  I  haven't  the  least  idea,"  said  the  Judge. 

"Bah!"  said  Maria.  "  W7hat  matters  it? 
Gomez  went  away,  the  beggar  of  the  morning 
appeared,  he  had  been  concealed  there.  Senors, 


212    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

he  was  not  a  beggar,  he  was  an  American — he 
was  Senor  Clayton  and  a  year  ago,  in  the  jungle, 
she  begged  his  life  of  Romero.  I  later  saw  him 
in  the  rebels'  camp."  She  paused,  pleased  by  the 
sensation  caused  by  her  last  words. 

"  The  devil !  "  muttered  Judge  Clayton  to  him- 
self. "  She  is  becoming  dangerous.  Still  she 
hasn't  said  yet  Tom  was  a  rebel — she  saw  him  in 
the  camp — um — "  But  Maria  was  still  talking. 

"  Later  you  all  heard  Gomez  say,  '  there  is  a 
spy  here — a  woman,  she  that  the  American  came 
to  see.'  Who  did  he  come  to  see?  " 

"  One  moment,  one  moment,"  said  Judge  Clay- 
ton. "  Is  the  witness  to  argue,  while  we  have 
an  eloquent  Judge  Advocate? "  He  bowed  to 
Romero. 

"  Confine  yourself  to  what  you  saw  and  heard," 
said  Romero.  "  Bah !  I  will  myself  tell  what  it 
means." 

"  Peste — that  is  what  I  am  doing,"  said  Maria. 

"  Proceed ! "  said  Robeldo. 

"Well,  last  evening,  Inez  told  me  that  Clay- 
ton had  come  back.  You  remember  he  disap- 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  213 

peared  while  Gomez  was  dying,"  she  addressed 
the  Judges. 

"  Si,"  they  assented. 

"  No  evidence  about  that,"  said  Judge  Clay- 
ton. 

"  Eh  " — said  Robeldo —  "  I  was  there — do  not 
I  know?" 

"  Well,  later,  from  the  balcony,  I  saw  her  talk- 
ing to  '  Judas! '  continued  Maria.  "  I  suspected 
her.  Then  I  saw  the  list  that  was  said  to  be  her 
dance  list — picked  up  by  Romero  here — it  was 
the  same  as  that  sold  me  by  Gomez." 

"That  will  do,"  said  Romero.  "  Eh— didn't 
I  bring  it  all  out — eh — is  there  any  question  of 
the  guilt  of  Senorita  Inez?  " 

"  May  I  ask  a  few  questions,  solely  in  the  in- 
terests of  my  nephew?"  came  the  honey-like 
tones  of  Judge  Clayton. 

Again  Robeldo  signified  his  assent  and  the 
Judge  rose.  Maria  hated  and  despised  him,  this 
meddling  old  Yankee.  She  stiffened  herself  to 
meet  his  questions,  but  he  attacked  her  unex- 
pectedly. 


214    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  You  were  once  engaged — betrothed,  to  Lieu- 
tenant Francisco ! " 

"  Bah— that  is  my  affair!  " 

Hitherto,  her  testimony  had  been  given  calmly, 
dispassionately.  She  had  made  a  good  impres- 
sion. Judge  Clayton  meant  to  rouse  her  temper ; 
he  succeeded,  her  glance  was  enough  to  scorch 
him. 

"  Ah — quite  so,"  he  observed.  "  But  after 
a  while,  he  met  Senorita  Inez  and  became  less 
attentive." 

"Si!    The  cat!" 

"  As  you  say,  the  cat.    Well,  you  were  jealous." 

"  What?    I — never!    I  am  a  Spaniard !  " 

"  Of  course — of  course,"  said  the  Judge.  "  And 
Spanish  ladies  are  never  jealous." 

He  paused  to  give  effect  to  his  words.  The 
great  fans  of  the  ladies  fluttered  violently,  they 
nudged  each  other. 

"  Ah,  it  is  clear,"  said  one  to  another,  "  Maria 
accused  Inez  from  jealousy.  Eh — it  is  evident. 
I  should  have  done  the  same,  but  the  judges  will 
not  see — they  are  men." 

But   Maria  was   again   speaking.     The   fans 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  215 

ceased  fluttering,  all  but  the  fan  of  Inez,  which 
she  waved  back  and  forth  indolently,  as  though 
the  proceedings  had  for  her  the  most  indifferent 
interest.  Maria  looked  at  her  indignantly;  the 
game  was  not  going  at  all  as  she  expected. 

"  Pah — "  she  was  saying,  "  why  should  I  be 
jealous — I  wore  Francisco's  ring.  Inez  never 
had  his  ring.  Bah — no,  such  a  one  as  it  was — 
a  ruby,  a  topaz  and  an  emerald — bah,  jealous — 
never !  I  wearied  of  Francisco !  " 

As  she  spoke  of  the  jewels  of  the  ring,  Judge 
Clayton  pricked  up  his  ears.  Here  was  a  chance 
to  make  an  unexpected  point. 

"  Precisely,"  said  he,  as  though  sympathizing 
with  Maria  and  interested  in  her  ring.  "  The 
stones  of  the  ring  were  red,  yellow  and  green." 

"  Si !  "  said  Maria. 

"  Ah — what  are  these  Revolutionary  colors  that 
this  wicked  Inez  has  worn — I  am  a  stranger  and 
would  know." 

"  Why,  Senor,"  said  Maria,  "  red,  yellow  and 
green ! " 

"  Why,  isn't  that  curious,"  said  Judge  Clayton, 


216    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  just  like  your  ring — why,  you  were  wearing 
Revolutionary  colors  yourself." 

Judge  Clayton's  face  was  wreathed  in  smiles, 
his  good  nature  was  contagious.  A  ripple  of 
laughter  frolicked  round  the  room. 

"  Ha !  Ha !  laughed  Maria,  with  the  others. 
"Why,  so  I  did!" 

As  she  spoke,  she  glanced  at  the  Judges  and 
the  Vice  Roy.  They  were  not  laughing,  they 
looked  at  her  grimly,  suspiciously.  She  grew 
suddenly  grave,  as  she  turned  again  to  face 
Judge  Clayton.  Suddenly  the  point  of  the  ques- 
tion came  to  her  . 

"Bah!  You  beast!"  she  snapped,  in  wrath, 
at  Judge  Clayton.  "  You  said  that  on  purpose  to 
make  me  ridiculous." 

"  Where  is  that  ring  now?  "  The  Judge  asked 
the  question  at  a  venture.  He  was  "  fishing," 
solely  in  the  interests  of  "  my  nephew."  As  he 
would  have  said,  he  got  more  than  he  bargained 
for.  Maria  looking  at  Inez,  had  determined  to 
give  her  something  to  think  of,  so  she  lied. 

"  I  gave  it  to  Seiior  Clayton,  when  he  escorted' 
me,  disgusted  with  Inez,  from  her  house." 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  217 

"  The  devil !  "  thought  the  Judge.  "  Getting 
Inez  out  of  the  mud,  gets  Tom  in  the  mire,  but 
never  mind,  I'll  risk  it." 

"  Yes !  Yes !  "  he  shouted.  "  You  were  wear- 
ing Revolutionary  colors,  you  were  giving  rings 
to  my  nephew,  you  were  alone  in  his  company — 
eh!  What!  Any  duenna?" 

"  Why,  no—"  said  Maria,  "  but—" 

"  Was  there  or  was  there  not,  a  duenna?  " 

"  No,  you  beast !  "  said  the  exasperated  Maria. 

"  Young  woman,  haven't  I  treated  you  with 
perfect  courtesy?  "  said  the  Judge. 

"  Why,  si,  Senor,"  said  Maria,  abashed. 

"  Well,  you  saw  Senor  Clayton  in  the  rebels' 
camp?  " 

"  Si— I  did." 

"  And  I  suppose  he  saw  you  there?  " 

"  Why,  I  suppose  so." 

"Bach  of  you  saw  the  other?" 

"Bah!    Yes!" 

"  Bah !  "  said  Judge  Clayton.  It  was  express- 
ive. 

"  Of  a  surety,"  said  one  to  another,  "  it  was 
nothing  to  have  seen  him  there." 


2i8    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"Now,"  said  the  Judge.  "You  are  a  loyal 
Spaniard."  His  idea  had  been  to  direct  the 
minds  of  the  Judges  to  what  he  considered 
the  immaterial  parts  of  the  testimony,  endeavor 
to  make  the  immaterial,  if  possible,  the  material. 

"Si!"  said  Maria. 

"  And  it  is  only  the  disloyal  and — "  the  Judge 
turned  to  the  ladies,  "  the  pretty,  at  whose  lat- 
tices young  men  come  tum-tumming  on  those 
guitars." 

"  Eh — carramba,"  said  Maria.  "  I  have  many 
singing  at  my  lattice." 

"  But  you  said,  as  one  of  your  charges  against 
Inez,  that  men  came  to  her  lattice." 

"I  didn't!" 

"  Eh— what?  " 

"You  certainly  said  so,"  said  Robeldo,  "and 
was  connected,  I  presume,  in  your  mind  with 
what  you  said  of  the  sympathy  she  expressed  for 
the  rebels.  I  so  construed  your  testimony." 

"  Bah,"  said  Maria,  "  have  it  your  own  way ! " 

"Now  you  have  said,"  continued  the  Judge, 
"  that  Senorita  Inez  begged  Senor  Clayton's  life 
in  the  jungle,  a  year  ago." 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  219 

"  Si — it  is  true !  "  said  Maria. 

"On  what  grounds?" 

"  That  he  was  an  envoy." 

"  Seiiors,"  said  Judge  Clayton,  "  I  am  sure 
that  you  do  not  approve  of  executing  envoys — 
you  the  representatives  of  Spain." 

The  Judges  solemnly  shook  their  heads.  Of 
course  not — that  is,  officially. 

"  Now,"  said  the  Judge,  "  did  you  ever  know 
of  Sefior  Clayton's  meeting  Seiiorita  Inez — un- 
less you  were  present?  " 

"  No,"  said  Maria. 

"  And  how  many  times?  " 

"  Three !  "  said  Maria.  "  Once  in  the  jungle, 
once  at  the  Residence,  and  once,  last  night,  at  the 
Patio." 

"  And  here  to-day,"  said  the  Judge.  "  And  at 
the  time  when  Gomez  was  stabbed  yesterday." 
The  Judge  lost  no  opportunities  to  show  that  she 
was  inaccurate. 

"Si,"  said  Maria. 

"  Did  you  ever  hear  any  conversations  between 
them?" 

"  Bah— yes !    He " 


220    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  I  only  asked  whether  there  was  a  conversa- 
tion," said  the  Judge.  "  Not  what  it  was.  You 
are  a  little  too  fast  for  me." 

He  bowed  more  courteously.  Maria,  smilingly 
bowed  in  return.  Judge  Clayton  continued 

"  Now  Senorita  Inez  is  the  belle  of  the  Prov- 
ince." 

"  Bah ! " 

"  All  the  men  make  love  to  her !  " 

"  As  many  make  love  to  me !  " 

"  Well,  when  you  and  she  and  Clayton  were 
together,  I  suppose  he  had  no  eyes  for  you." 

It  was  a  long  shot.  Judge  Clayton  was  a  little 
anxious  as  he  put  the  question. 

"  Jesu,  he  had  no  admiration  for  her !  " 

"What!" 

"  Bah — he  saw  through  her,  he  upbraided  her, 
he  left  her  presence  with  me ! " 

"  Why— why— "  said  the  Judge.  "  Didn't  Inez 
and  he  whisper  together?  Didn't  you  hear  them 
plot  together  against  the  Vice  Roy  and  the  king — 
all  wrapped  up  in  each  other? 

Maria  was  now  suspicious.  She  judged  from 
the  questioner's  tone  that  he  wanted  her  to  say, 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  221 

for  some  devilish  purpose  of  his  own,  that  Inez 
and  Tom  had  plotted  together,  so  she  answered 
the  other  way — he  would  find  she  knew  what 
she  was  about. 

"  Carramba !  No !  He  quarreled  with  her 
frightfully!" 

In  the  corner  of  Judge  Clayton's  right  eye, 
was  a  twinkle.  He  had  fathomed  Maria.  The 
Vice  Roy  and  the  Judges  looked  at  her  in  aston- 
ishment, but  Judge  Clayton  was  now  going  on 
rapidly,  his  questions  came  like  pistol-shots. 

"  You  talked  with  Gomez  before  he  appeared 
at  the  examination  of  Valdez." 

"  Si — he  made  a  bargain  with  me,  the  liar !  I 
couldn't  believe  a  word  he  said." 

"And  he  said  Inez  was  a  spy?" 

"   Si,  senor!" 

The  Vice  Roy  and  the  Judges  had  caught  the 
point,  they  scowled  at  Maria.  Inez  still  lan- 
guidly fanned  herself.  The  audience  smilingly 
looked  at  Judge  Clayton.  What  a  simple,  honest 
old  Caballero  he  was,  what  simple  questions  he 
asked — but  how  sensible. 


222    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"And  he  made  a  bargain  with  you — for 
what?" 

«  The  list." 

"You  bargained  for  the  list?" 

"Si!" 

"  Did  you  see  Inez  drop  the  list  at  the  Patio?  " 

"  No — I  saw  it  in  her  hand — I  knew  its  appear- 
ance." 

"  A  folded  piece  of  paper?  " 

"  Si ! " 

"  You  didn't  read  the  paper  in  her  hand  ?  " 

"  No ! " 

"  How  do  you  know  it  was  not  the  dance  list 
Inez  called  it?" 

"  Oh,  carramba — have  done !  "  said  Maria. 
"  You  mix  me  up." 

"  Well,  for  aught  you  know,  it  was  the  dance 
list." 

"  Have  it  your  own  way,"  said  Maria.  She 
was  tired,  disgusted.  Why  had  she  not  thought 
to  dress  better? 

"Eh — Jesu,"  she  continued,  "why  all  this 
rubbish?  Gomez,  at  the  council  said  there  is  a 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  223 

spy  here,  a  woman — she  whom  the  Yankee  came 
to  see." 

"  You  never  knew  of  Inez  being  alone  in  Clay- 
ton's company?  " 

"  I  have  said  so  before." 

"  With  you  he  went  away " 

"  Carramba — yes !  " 

"  You  gave  him  a  ring " 

"  Bah — but   Gomez   said " 

"  I  didn't  hear  him  say  anything,"  said  Judge 
Clayton,  looking  at  her  out  of  wide  open  innocent- 
looking  blue  eyes — "  bless  me — did  he  say  any- 
thing? I  didn't  hear  him." 

"  Carramba,  I  did.  I  stood  beside  him.  He 
lifted  his  hand,  he  pointed  at  me,  he  said " 

"  And  at  you  he  pointed,"  thundered  Judge 
Clayton.  "  And  you  are  such  a  dear  girl — such 
a  sweet  girl !  " 

"  Senor,  I  despise  you,  I  spit  upon  you ! " 

"  I  think  I  will  not  trouble  you  further,"  said 
Judge  Clayton.  He  bowed  courteously  to  the 
Vice  Koy,  the  Judges  and  the  spectators  and  sat 
down. 

Meanwhile,  Maria  had  stepped  from  the  wit- 


224    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

ness-stand  and  walked  toward  the  spectators. 
As  she  did  so,  the  officers  turned  their  backs  upon 
her,  the  ladies  drew  aside  their  skirts. 

She  turned  to  leave  the  room,  the  Vice  Roy 
made  a  gesture  and  the  sentinel  refused  to  let  her 
pass. 


"You  may  argue,  said  Robeldo  to  Romero." 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  225 


CHAPTER    IV. 

THE   ARGUMENTS. 

"  You  may  argue,"  said  Robeldo  to  Romero. 
"  In  a  courtmartial,  the  accused  has  the  last 
word." 

Romero  stood  pondering  for  a  moment.  In 
spite  of  his  ignorance  and  brutality,  he  was  a 
man  of  considerable  force  and  vigor.  He  could 
not  skilfully  ask  questions  like  Judge  Clayton, 
but  like  all  his  countrymen,  white,  black,  brown 
and  mixed,  he  could,  on  occasion,  speak  well  and 
to  the  point.  The  case,  indeed,  was  not  yet  won. 

"  See  here,  you  judges,"  he  said,  "  of  course 
the  Seiiorita  Inez  is  guilty.  Why,  this  trial  it- 
self is  just  a  sign  of  the  times.  Here  is  the 
Creole,"  he  pointed  to  Inez,  "  brought  up  under 
the  fostering  care  of  Spain,"  he  pointed  to  the 
Vice  Roy.  "  She  is  a  rebel !  The  black  man, 


226    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

once  her  slave,  accuses  her!  The  daughter  of 
Spain,"  he  bowed  awkwardly  to  Maria,  "  wit- 
nessed against  her.  The  young  sprigs  just  out 
from  the  mother  country,"  he  sneered  at  Fran- 
cisco, "  don't  dare  act  against  her !  The  med- 
dling American,  not  knowing  anything  of  the 
country,  tries  to  protect  her,  because  she  flirts 
with  his  filibustering  relative.  The  Indian,"  he 
shook  his  fist  at  Valdez,  "  hates  the  Spaniard  and 
suspects  the  Creole !  Bah !  This  thing  happened 
like  this — this  Senorita  Inez  falls  in  love  with 
the  Yankee  Clayton,  he  was  a  prisoner  in  the 
village  when  she  came  from  the  convent ! " 

"  There's  not  a  particle  of  evidence  to  show 
that,"  said  Judge  Clayton. 

"  He  is  drawing  inferences,  senor,"  said  Ro- 
beldo,  "  let  him  proceed." 

"  Shades  of  Lord  Mansfield  and  the  Common 
Law,"  muttered  Judge  Clayton. 

Romero   continued 

"  Well — Inez  sees  him  in  the  jungle.  I  well 
remember  the  day,  I  was  there;  we  missed  her, 
when  we  fled,  hearing  II  Liberator's  bugles. 
Now,  she  may  have  seen  the  Arch  Rebel  and 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  227 

promised,  somehow  or  other,  to  help  him.  A 
plan  is  made,  perhaps  II  Liberator  says  he  will 
come  in  a  year  again,  if  all  is  ready.  Well,  she 
returns  to  the  village  and  II  Liberator  goes  away. 
In  a  year  he  sends  this  Yankee,  as  a  messenger, 
to  see  her,  not  expecting  that  Gomez,  who  de- 
serted him,  would  also  be  in  the  city — why — 
flames  of  hell — I  see  it  all!  She  was  to  keep 
Gomez  from  giving  the  list  to  the  Vice  Roy. 
Clayton  came  to  see  whether  she  had  succeeded. 
Gomez  meets  Senorita  Maria — I  don't  know  but 
she  was  in  the  plot  also,  but  that  is  neither  here 
nor  there.  Gomez  makes  accusation  at  the  coun- 
cil and  the  Yankee  runs  away — why — probably 
Inez  told  him  to  and  later,  told  him  to  hide  in  the 
1  Judas/  where  she  afterward,  to  save  her  own 
neck,  accused  him.  Bah!  Valdez  was  not  in 
the  secret  of  that  accusation,  he  didn't  under- 
stand it.  He  said,  '  I  thought  her  one  of  us ' — 
he  meant  the  rebels,  and  her  jig  was  up.  Bah ! 
Condemn  her  like  men !  Have  her  shot  and  have 
a  drink  with  me  afterward ! " 

He  ceased  speaking  and  sat  down  glaring  and 
panting. 


228    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  The  devil !  "  said  Francisco. 

"Eh — then  she  is  guilty,  after  all,"  said  the 
senoritas.  "  I  am  glad  I  am  not  in  her  shoes ! " 

Inez  still  fanned  herself  idly,  a  smile,  now  and 
then,  flitting  across  her  face. 

"  Senors,"  said  Judge  Clayton,  "  it  is  unusual, 
but  this  affects  my  nephew — may  I  not  say  a  few 
words?  " 

"  By  all  means,"  said  Robeldo. 

Judge  Clayton  had  won  everybody's  liking. 
They  enjoyed  his  little  mistakes  in  Spanish.  He 
bowed  and  addressed  them — 

"  Senors,"  he  said,  "  I  am  a  stranger  here,  a 
foreigner,  but  I  admire  Spanish  justice,  the  jus- 
tice with  bandaged  eyes  that  listens  for  the  truth. 
When  I  was  a  young  man,  I  lived,  as  I  do  now, 
in  Kentucky.  At  that  time,  the  Spanish  ruled 
to  our  south  in  Louisiana  and  I  learnt  then  to 
appreciate  the  justice  of  Spain."  Indeed  he  had, 
but  not  in  the  way  his  hearers  thought  he  meant, 
still  his  seeming  flattery  visibly  impressed  them. 

"  Ah,  senors,  you  and  I,  who  are  past  our 
youth,  know  the  meaning  of  justice.  Many  of 
you  have  daughters,  how  sweet  they  are,  how 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  229 

innocent!   and  every  night  you  sleep  in  security, 
because  the  justice  of  Spain  protects  them. 

'  Senors,  I  am  a  plain  man  and,  as  a  plain  man 
should,  seek  only  for  the  truth  and  that  truth, 
seuors,  and  the  justice  of  Spain,  will  protect  Se- 
fiorita  Inez,  not  flights  of  rhetoric,  nor  fancy, 
but  the  truth — for  this  case  against  her,  is  noth- 
ing but  a  mass  of  invention,  fabrication,  innu- 
endo, falsehood  and  perversion  of  facts.  You  and 
I  know  this — we  have  listened  to  the  evidence  and 
we  are  elderly  men,  men  past  our  youth,  not  to  be 
deceived." 

He  had  taken  the  Judges  into  his  confidence, 
they  were  already  his  allies. 
.  "  A  young  girl,  the  ward  of  the  Vice  Roy,  has 
grown  to  womanhood  among  you,"  he  continued. 
"  Brought  up  in  the  most  loyal  house  in  the 
province,  and  she  is  accused  of  high  treason  and 
by  whom?  By  a  jealous  woman — and  what  won't 
a  jealous  woman  do?  She  says,  does  this  woman, 
that  Inez  expressed  sympathy  for  the  rebels  and 
then  can't  remember  a  word  she  said.  Shoot  her 
for  that  and  you  will  shoot  every  pitying  heart 
in  the  country!  She  says  that  men  came  to  her 


230    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

lattice!  Why,  every  pretty  young  girl  in  the 
country  has  hundreds  of  young  fellows  '  turn, 
turn,  tumming '  on  those  guitars  at  their  lattices. 
Shoot  her  for  that  and  you  will  shoot  half  the 
young  girls  in  the  country,  your  own  daughters ! 
She  says  that  Seiiorita  Inez  wore  revolutionary 
colors.  Why,  senors,  the  sunset  was  yellow  last 
evening,  red  this  morning,  the  grass  is  green. 
Shoot  her  for  that  and  you  will  shoot  all  crea- 
tion! Shoot  her  for  that  and  you  shoot  the  ac- 
cuser herself,  who  wore  those  colors  in  her  ring — 
Donna  Maria ! " 

The  Judge  swept  his  eyes  over  the  spectators 
and  the  Judges.  They  were  sitting  as  still  as  the 
carven  caryatids  of  the  stone  balcony. 

"  They  say  she  is  guilty,"  he  thundered,  "  be- 
cause they  say  she  is  the  sweetheart  of  my 
nephew,  against  whom,  so  far,  not  one  word  has 
been  adduced  to  show  any  connection  between 
him  and  the  rebels.  Not  one  word  other  than 
that  he  and  Maria  looked  at  each  other  in  the 
Rebels'  camp — eh — they  are  both  young  and  un- 
married !  Bah ! "  The  exclamation  seemed  a 
bomb-shell  that,  exploding,  scattered  the  idea  of 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  231 

anything  between  Clayton  and  Inez  to  the  winds 
— the  Judge  again  paused.  He  caught  his 
nephew's  eye,  Tom  was  looking  blue,  his  uncle's 
argument  was  even  persuading  him.  The  Judge 
winked  at  him  and  continued — 

"  Come  to  the  facts,  seuors.  What  did  she  say 
last  night  at  the  Patio?  '  I  have  found  out  what 
none  of  you  know — in  Judas  is  concealed  the 
Yankee  spy,  Senor  Clayton!  I  despise  him  as 
a  traitor!  Mark,  senors — I  loathe  him!  I  ac- 
cuse him ! '  does  that  sound  as  though  they  were 
sweethearts?  Then  there  was  a  criminal  there 
and,  senors,  this  criminal  says — and  wouldn't  he 
be  apt  to  smirch  the  Vice  Roy's  family,  wouldn't 
he  if  he  could — an  Indian,  who  as  my  brother," 
he  bowed  to  Romero,  but  he  made  a  wry  face,  for 
his  Kentucky  blood  was  not  yet  educated  to 
calling  a  black  man  "  brother,"  even  in  the  legal 
sense — "  as  my  brother  says,  '  hates  the  Spaniard 
and  suspects  the  Creole ' — this  criminal  says — 
'  I  thought  her  one  of  us/  His  think,  that's  all, 
his  guess.  Says  so,  under  oath.  But  he  said 
more,  he  said — '  When  she  accused  Senor  Clay- 
ton, I  knew  she  was  true  to  Spain,'  and  true  to 


232    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

Spain  she  stands  here,  seuors,  and  Spain  and 
Spanish  justice  should  be  true  to  her ! " 

He  had  them  now,  and  he  might  have  stopped 
then  and  there,  but  he  went  on.  Perhaps  it 
would  have  been  better  if  he  had  not,  but  he 
noticed  the  Vice  Roy's  cool,  grim  face  and  wanted 
to  cover  with  more  dust  the  issue. 

"  Ah,  senors,  there  was  a  man  murdered  here 
yesterday,  a  ragged  tatterdemalion,  coming  from, 
no  one  knew  where.  Seilorita  Maria  said  he  said 
Inez  was  a  spy;  all  the  evidence,  by  the  way, 
there  is  against  Inez;  and  in  the  next  breath, 
says  she  couldn't  believe  a  word  he  said,  that  he 
was  a  liar !  Didn't  she  now,  didn't  she,  isn't  it  in 
the  evidence? 

"  Then  it  is  argued  that,  when  in  his  dying  mo- 
ments, Gomez  shrieked  '  there  is  a  spy  here,  a 
woman,'  he  meant  Senorita  Inez.  Seiiors,  he 
did  say, '  there  is  a  spy  here,  a  woman.  She  whom 
the  Yankee  came  to  see/  Not  a  word  against 
the  Yankee,  mind  you.  Well,  senors,  whom  did 
he  come  to  see — who  gave  him  a  betrothal  ring — 
who  walked  with  him  alone,  who,  senors,  who? 
Who  talked  with  Gomez,  the  murdered  man,  who 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  233 

bought  from  him  that  famous  list,  who  makes 
a  false  accusation,  at  whom  pointed  Gomez  in 
his  last  moments— who,  senors — look !  " 

He  whirled  on  his  heels  and  pointed  a  long,  ac- 
cusing finger  at  Maria,  who  cowered  before  him, 
white  and  faint. 

"Who — senors,  who?  Donna  Maria  Mercedes 
Mendoza.  And  who  ever  said  she  was  true  to 
Spain?" 

"  Save  me,  Inez,  save  me ! "  shrieked  Maria. 
"  He  is  the  devil !  " 

"  Ah — h  "  a  concentrated  hiss  greeted  Maria's 
outcry. 

Judge  Clayton  bowed  and  sat  down. 

"  Have  you  determined  on  your  verdict?  "  said 
the  Vice  Koy  sharply. 

"  Only  one  verdict  is  possible,"  said  Kobeldo. 
He  rose  and  whispered  to  the  Vice  Roy.  "  Any- 
thing else  will  mean  revolution  and  our  assassi- 
nation !  Look ! " 

The  Vice  Roy  looked.  The  young  officers  were 
fumbling  at  their  swords  and  looked  at  the 
Judges  as  though  ready  to  spring. 

"  Your  verdict,"  said  the  Vice  Roy  sharply. 


234    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  Not  guilty,"  said  the  Judges. 

"  Arrest  Sefiorita  Maria,"  said  the  Vice  Roy. 

The  next  moment,  a  cheer  that  was  heard  a 
mile  away,  rang  through  the  hall.  An  avalanche 
of  women  descended  on  Judge  Clayton,  a  cloud 
of  gold-laced  gallants  surrounded  Inez. 

The  latter  was  borne  from  the  room,  all  tears 
and  laughter.  The  Judge  remained,  for  the  Vice 
Roy  was  sharply  speaking  to  the  Judges. 

"  We  adjourn  till  sunset,"  he  said.  "  The 
devil  fly  away  with  trials,  we  have  learnt  nothing ! 
At  sunset,  we  will  go  back  to  the  good  old  Span- 
ish way.  Ask  Maria  to  confess — if  she  does  not, 
shoot  her!  As  for  the  Yankee,  marry  him  to 
Donna  Espana ! ! " 

"Donna  who?"  said  Judge  Clayton  to  Ro- 
mero. 

"  Donna  Espana  is  the  rack,"  said  Romero. 
"  I  thought  the  Vice  Roy  had  something  up  his 
sleeve." 

"  The  devil !  "  said  Judge  Clayton. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  235 


CHAPTER  V. 

HOW  THEY  ESCORTED  SENORITA  INEZ  TO  THE  RESI- 
DENCE. 

WHEN  Inez  was  borne  from  the  prison  by  the 
cheering  officers,  they  placed  her  in  an  open  car 
in  the  street.  They  covered  the  ropes  with  which 
it  was  to  be  drawn  with  flowers,  and  they  dragged 
her  through  the  cobble-stoned  and  narrow  lane- 
like  streets  to  the  Residence,  up  one  street  and 
down  another,  they  went  cheering  and  singing — 
"  Espana !  Patria  de  los  valientes !  " 
From  the  balconies  of  the  houses,  laughing 
girls  showered  flowers  upon  her  as  she  stood,  a 
gleaming  vision  of  white,  bowing  to  this  side  and 
that,  holding  with  difficulty  to  the  shoulder  of 
Francisco,  as  he  walked  beside  her  and  laugh- 
ingly dodging  the  flowers  that  rained  upon  her — 
but  in  spite  of  her  laughter,  she  was  very  pale 


236    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

and  while  her  lips  parted  in  her  smiles  to  the 
people,  great  tears,  now  and  then,  rolled  down 
her  cheeks. 

The  people  in  the  streets,  the  poorer  ones,  did 
not  cheer.  They  looked  sullen  and  suspicious, 
and  as  the  rolling  voices  of  the  officers  sang — 

"  Espana,  Espaiia !  Patria  de  los  valientes !  " 
their  faces  became  blacker  and  blacker. 

"  Eh,"  said  a  peon  to  his  neighbor,  "  she  is, 
after  all,  a  Spaniard.  We  are  again  betrayed !  " 

"Who  is  this  Judge  Clayton?  He  has  the 
eloquence,  a  guard  told  me,  of  the  devil  address- 
ing hell,"  said  another. 

"  Bah !  Do  you  not  know?  "  said  his  neighbor. 
"  An  American  hidalgo,  the  Duke  of  Kentucky. 
He  is  an  Indian  and  has  come  to  ask  for  Senorita 
Inez  to  be  the  second  wife  of  his  President.  Eh ! 
it  is  as  I  say.  Eh !  It  is  the  fact ! " 

But  Inez  did  not  hear  the  comments.  She  was 
scanning  anxiously  the  balconies  and  the  crowded 
street  corners.  The  next  house  belonged  to  a 
leader  of  the  patriot's  party.  As  she  passed  be- 
low the  balcony,  she  thought  she  saw,  for  an  in- 
stant, the  face  of  Carmen.  The  next  moment,  a 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  237 

huge  bouquet  was  hurled  toward  her.  Francisco 
caught  it. 

"  Eh !  "  he  said.  "  Some  one  is  sending  you  a 
love-letter ! " 

He  pointed  to  a  note  in  the  midst  of  the  blos- 
soms. 

"  Give  it  to  me !  "  she  said. 

He  did  so. 

"  Espafia,  Eispafia !  Patria  de  los  valientes — " 
sang  the  officers. 

And  so,  laughing,  singing  and  cheering,  they 
brought  her  to  the  Residence.  The  Vice  Roy  was 
there  already.  As  the  flower-covered  car  came 
jolting  through  the  entrance,  he  shrugged  his 
shoulders. 

"  Eh !  Strange,"  he  muttered.  "Is  it  in  the 
blood?  How  they  crowd  about  her — so  they 
cheered  and  crowded  about  him  years  ago  in  the 
Eastern  Provinces ! " 


238    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 


CHAPTER    VI. 

THE  VICE  ROY'S  IDEA. 

"An,  Senor,  you  are  a  noble  fellow!" 

It  was  Francisco  who  was  speaking.  It  was 
three  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  and  he  was  ad- 
dressing Clayton,  who  had  been  brought  to  the 
hall  of  the  trial  for  an  interview  with  the  Aide- 
de-Camp. 

"  What  am  I  noble  about?  "  said  Clayton.  "  I 
am  in  a  devilish  fix ! " 

"  Eh !  You  will  refuse  to  confess — then  they 
will  put  you  in  the  rack.  The  agony  will  be 
excruciating,  but  bah;  the  stoicism  of  the  North 
Americans,  all  of  whom  are  Indians,  will  cause 
you  to  bear  it  with  fortitude.  What  a  moment! 
Then  they  will  shoot  you." 

"  What  in  heaven's  name  are  you  driving  at?  " 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  239 

"Eh!    What?    You  don't  know? " 

"  I  certainly  don't !  " 

"  Ah,  pardon  me !  Listen !  At  the  close  of  the 
trial  of  Inez  this  morning,  the  Vice  Roy  ordered 
that  at  sunset,  you  and  Maria  be  again  brought 
before  him ! " 

"Well?" 

"  He  also  said  that  he  would,  at  that  time, 
marry  you  to  Donna  Espana." 

"  What?  "  said  Tom.  "  I  won't  do  it,  I  don't 
know  her!  It's  a  damned  outrage!  Marry  me 
against  my  will — thunder !  I  reckon  not !  " 

"  Eh !  Not  so  fast — or  so  much,  I  pray  you !  " 
said  Francisco.  "  Donna  Espana  is  the  rack. 
We  give  her  a  woman's  name,  for  she  gets  pos- 
session of  secrets — besides,  it  is  brutal  to  call 
such  a  thing  by  its  name,  the  very  sound  of '  rack ' 
gets  on  one's  nerves — and  we  are  tender-hearted." 

"  For  God's  sake  come  to  the  point !  "  said  Tom. 

"  Oh,  Seuor,  do  not  be  impatient — in  a  mo- 
ment ! " 

Francisco  gracefully  rolled  a  cigarette,  placed 
it  between  his  teeth,  lighted  it  and  continued. 

"  Senor  Judge  Clayton,  learning  the  Vice  Roy's 


240    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

intention,  protested  with  some  heat,  indeed  quite 
rudely,  against  the  use  of  torture." 

"  I  bet  he  did !  "  muttered  Tom. 

"Well,  the  Vice  Roy  made  a  proposition.  It 
was,  that  you  write  out,  under  oath,  your  whole 
connection  with  this  business,  your  uncle  pledg- 
ing his  word  that  it  is  true,  that  then  you  leave 
the  country  at  once  and  forever.  The  Vice  Roy 
appreciates  that  you  are  a  foreigner,  an  Ameri- 
can—and simply  wants  information." 

"Well?" 

"  Senor  Judge  Clayton,  said  it  was  a  fair  offer. 
He  would  leave  the  matter  to  you." 

"  Urn— m !  "  said  Tom. 

"  Eh !  Jesu !  I  knew  of  course  you  would 
refuse,  but  came  as  the  Vice  Roy's  messenger, 
to  ask  your  answer.  Of  course,  if  you  confess, 
Senorita  Inez — will  be  shot — bah,  I  know.  The 
acquittal  will  amount  to  nothing  and  you  have  a 
noble  heart — rather  than  that,  you  will  let  them 
shoot  you  and  spare  her.  Ah !  I  will  be  a  tender 
husband  to  her !  " 

"But  Maria?" 

"  Carramba !     Better  she  than  the  other !  " 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  241 

"  See  here,"  said  Tom,  "  tell  them  that  if  they 
will  give  me  half  an  hour  with  Seiiorita  Maria, 
here — alone — I  will  give  them  my  answer !  " 

All  Tom  was  hoping  for  was  delay,  time — and 
their  troubles  would  be  over.  Time — and  a 
chance  to  have  the  signal  given  that  would  bring 
the  army  of  liberation  from  the  mountains. 

Meanwhile,  Seflorita  Inez  found,  that  though 
acquitted,  at  home,  apparently  restored  to  the 
Vice  Roy's  favor  and  the  heroine  of  the  day — 
she  was  still  little  better  than  a  prisoner. 

Donna  Isabella  attended  her  like  her  shadow. 
The  guards,  at  the  entrance  to  the  Residence, 
courteously,  but  firmly,  refused  to  let  her  leave 
the  house. 

The  letter  which  was  concealed  in  the  bou- 
quet which  had,  she  thought,  been  thrown  by  Car- 
men, during  her  -triumphal  progress,  had  told 
her  that  II  Liberator's  adherents  in  the  city,  were 
doubtful  and  suspicious  on  account  of  the  cheers 
of  the  Spanish  officers  over  her  acquittal  and  of 
the  acquittal  itself,  thinking,  that  to  obtain  it, 
she  must  have  made  some  bargain  with  the 
government;  that  none  of  them  would  risk  giv- 


242    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

ing  the  signal  to  II  Liberator  and  that  they  would 
rise  in  the  latter's  support  only  in  case  Inez  her- 
self gave  the  signal  agreed  upon,  from  the  prison 
of  the  Capucins  and  it  was  answered  from  the 
mountains;  that  they  had  at  first  thought  her 
imprisonment  there  had  been  planned  by  her, 
but  that  her  acquittal  and  what  followed,  had  led 
them  to  doubt;  that  the  patrols  would  allow  no 
one  to  enter  or  leave  the  city ;  that  Carmen  herself 
could  not  get  entrance  to  the  prison,  as  Romero 
had  been  put  in  command  of  the  prison  guard; 
that  Valdez  and  Clayton,  though  at  the  prison, 
were  presumably  so  closely  watched  that  they 
could  effect  nothing — and  that  unless  there 
should  be  "  a  miracle  of  the  blessed  Saints,  who 
are  Spaniards  and  therefore  against  us,"  all  must 
be  a  failure. 

"  Jesu,  why  do  you  follow  me  so  closely? " 
said  Inez  to  Donna  Isabella. 

"  By  the  orders  of  His  High  Mightiness,"  said 
the  old  lady. 

"  Bah !  "  said  Inez.    "  I  will  speak  to  him ! " 

She  entered  the  council  room,  as  Francisco 
returned  from  his  errand  to  Clayton  and  became 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  243 

acquainted  with  the  offer  of  the  Vice  Roy  and 
Tom  Clayton's  answer. 

"  What?  "  she  exclaimed.  "  A  half  hour  alone 
with  Maria !  Eh !  Outrageous !  " 

"  Was  it  not  Senorita  Inez  he  wished  to  see?  " 
said  one  of  the  officers,  who  was  still  suspicious 
of  the  Vice  Roy's  ward. 

"  Carramba !  No !  "  said  Francisco.  "  He 
would  talk  with  Maria." 

"  His  request  supports  Judge  Clayton's  argu- 
ment of  this  morning,"  said  the  Vice  Roy.  "  I  am 
inclined  to  grant  the  request.  Eh,  seilors — some- 
thing might  be  overheard !  " 

"Are  not  our  deliberations — likely  to,  to 
weary  Seuorita  Inez?  "  said  the  suspicious  officer. 
Inez  courtesied  and  left  the  room. 

"  Carramba !  "  said  Francisco.  "  I  would  re- 
fuse the  request.  I  believe  he  will  not  open  his 
lips  for  any  reason." 

"  I  demand  that  the  request  be  granted,"  said 
Judge  Clayton. 

"  I  shall  grant  it,"  said  the  Vice  Roy.  But 
Seuor,"  he  bowed  to  Judge  Clayton,  "  I  fear  our 


244    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

further  deliberations  may  also  weary  you." 
Judge  Clayton  bowed  in  return  and  left  them. 

"  Senors,"  said  the  Vice  Hoy,  when  they  were 
again  by  themselves,  "  There  is  much  meat  in  the 
idea  that  has  come  to  me — that  something  might 
be  overheard.  Eh!  Romero,  you  know  the 
prison?" 

"  Eh ! "  said  Romero.    "  If  only " 

"  What?  "  said  the  Vice  Roy. 

"  I  was  about  to  suggest  that  much  more  might 
be  overheard  if  Senorita  Inez  had  been  called  for 
by  the  Yankee." 

"  Bah ! "  said  Francisco.  "  You  are  ugly  be- 
cause the  case  went  against  you." 

"  Hell's  flames,  no !  "  said  Romero.  "  But  I 
wish  you  would  suggest  to  her  that  she  can  bid 
farewell  to  the  Yankee  or  to  Maria  and  at  the 
prison." 

"  Uh — m — "  said  the  Vice  Roy.  "  Lieutenant 
Francisco,  will  you  play  eavesdropper?  " 

"  Madre  a  dios — I  am  an  officer !  "  said  Fran- 
cisco. 

"  Pah !  You  are  an  idler — do  you  refuse  my 
request — or  do  you  again  resign?"  The  Vice 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  245 

Roy  watched  Francisco  closely.  Francisco  grew 
a  little  uneasy. 

"  Eh !  No !  "  said  he.  "  Your  requests  always 
have  a  certain  force  that  makes  one  respect 
them."  He  shrugged  his  shoulders  and  bowed. 

"  Then  you  will  go?  "  said  the  Vice  Roy. 

"  Eh !  But  I  was  about  to  observe  that 
Senorita  Maria — "  He  paused  a  moment. 

"Do  you  go  or  not?"  said  the  Vice  Roy 
sharply. 

"  Eh !    Carramba !    I  will  go !  "  said  Francisco. 


246    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 


CHAPTER   VII. 

HOW  FRANCISCO  CAME  TO  OVERHEAR  WHAT  CERTAIN 
PERSONS  SAID  AMONG  THEMSELVES. 

A  GUARD  came  to  tell  Clayton  that  the  Vice 
Roy  had  granted  his  request  and  that  Senorita 
Maria  was  waiting  for  him  in  the  hall  of  trial. 
Clayton  followed  the  man  from  his  cell,  along  a 
damp  stone  corridor,  then  up  the  winding  stairs 
of  the  tower,  as  he  had  done  twice  before  that 
day  and  found  himself  bowing  to  Sefiorita  Maria 
in  the  empty  and  echoing  hall  of  trial. 

"  Eh,  Senor  Yankee,  you  wished  to  see  me — it 
is  not  unusual !  " 

Maria  held  her  fan  coquettishly  before  her  eyes. 

"  Er — yes,"  said  Tom.  Now  he  had  obtained 
the  interview,  he  did  not  quite  know  what  to  say. 

"  Eh !    Senor — how  sad  it  is,  that  we  are  likely 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  247 

to  die,  but  together — ah,  you  will  hold  my  hand 
and  look  at  me — eh,  with  affection?  "  said  Maria. 

"  But  you  are  Francisco's  sweetheart ! " 

"  Eh !  Jesu,  yes !  But  he  does  not  die  with  me, 
you  will,  Senor — the  Senoritas  will  envy  me,  the 
poets  will  write  verses  of  us — it  is  not  so  bad !  " 

"  Oh,  isn't  it?  " 

"  Eh !  Seiior — come  nearer — thank  you — speak 
in  a  low  tone  of  voice — these  rooms  have  ears,  all 
prisons  have.  Eh!  Yes,  some  one  is  probably 
trying  to  listen  to  us!  " 

"  The  devil !  " 

"Yes!    Isn't  it?" 

As  they  spoke,  Maria  led  Tom  to  the  chairs 
behind  the  Judges'  table.  She  pointed  to  the 
canopied  chair  of  the  Vice  Roy  and  shrugged  her 
shoulders.  Tom  looked  closely  at  the  chair  but 
perceived  nothing. 

"  See  here !  "  he  said,  resolutely. 

Maria  put  her  finger  to  her  lips,  but  Tom  went 
on,  paying  no  attention  to  the  gesture. 

"  I  have  been  told  that  if  I  tell  everything,  I 
can  get  out  of  this,  but  if  I  do,  Inez  is  likely  to 
be  shot,  in  spite  of  her  acquittal.  Now,  if  I  don't 


248    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

tell,  you  will  be  shot  and  that  is,  after  all,  not 
right." 

"  Eh !  The  viper  Inez,"  said  Maria.  "  Pah ! 
What  a  mess  I  have  made  of  things — but  come, 
you  will  tell  them  the  truth — not  only  of  Inez, 
but  eh !  Perhaps  a  little  about  Francisco.  Come 
Senor,  I  would  not  be  shot !  " 

"  That's  it,"  said  Tom.  "  I  don't  want  you 
shot,  I  don't  want  anybody  shot,  but  how  in 
thunder  can  I  prevent  it?  Can't  you  think  of 
something?  You  are  devilish  ingenious." 

As  Maria  did  not  answer,  Tom,  who  had  been 
talking  with  his  hands  in  his  pockets,  his  eyes 
roving  about  the  room,  looked  at  her.  She  had 
mounted  the  platform  on  which  stood  the  Vice 
Roy's  chair  and  was  violently  shaking  the  cur- 
tains that  surrounded  it.  A  cloud  of  dust  flew 
out  into  the  room,  from  behind  it  sounded  a 
gurgle,  then  "  kichew ! " 

"  Bah !  "  said  Maria.  "  I  knew  some  one  was 
listening.  Eh!  But  such  imbeciles — to  try  to 
catch  me  in  such  a  manner.  Pah ! " 

As  she  spoke,  Francisco  jauntily  stepped  from 
behind  the  canopy. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  249 

"  Jesu !  What  an  idiot  you  are !  "  said  Maria. 
"  How  often  have  you  told  me  of  what  you  have 
overheard  in  that  place.  Eh!  Just  think — " 
she  added,  turning  to  Tom,  "  he  is  the  only  one 
of  the  staff  thin  enough  to  stand  in  the  recess 
there — I  suspected  something  when  I  was  told 
we  were  to  have  an  interview." 

She  turned  her  back  on  Francisco  and  walked 
across  the  room,  throwing,  as  it  were,  descriptive 
adjectives  at  him  over  her  shoulder. 

"  Coward !  Eavesdropper !  Idiot !  Beast ! 
Viper !  "  She  paused  out  of  breath. 

"  Maria,"  came  the  voice  of  Inez  from  the 
gallery.  All  looked  up  in  surprise. 

"  Eh !  "  said  Francisco.  "  The  Vice  Roy  told 
me  she  was  to  come  and  bid  Maria  farewell.  I 
was  ordered  to  listen  as  to  what  was  said.  Eh, 
bah!  What  nonsense!  Of  course,  Senor  Clay- 
ton will  say  nothing — he  will  be  shot.  And 
Maria  and  Inez  would  simply  have  called  each 
other  '  darling '  and  then  have  insulted  one  an- 
other. Pah !  Maria  is  to  be  shot  anyway !  " 

Maria's  voice,  addressing  Inez,  interrupted 
him. 


250    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  You  cat !  You  hussy !  "  she  screamed.  "  You 
have  come  to  gloat  over  me.  Bah!  How  you 
have  lied — you  little  saint!  How  you  have  all 
lied ! "  She  indicated  the  three  listeners  with  a 
gesture. 

"  Senorita,  Senorita !  "  said  Inez.  "  Do  not 
accuse  us  so,  for  though  there  is  much  in  what 
you  say,  yet  believe  me,  you  yourself  have  been 
the  principal  one  to  bring  these  misfortunes  on 
us  all ! " 

"  Eh !  Shades  of  Ananias !  "  said  Maria. 
"  What  a  purgatory  of  a  time  you  have  caused 
me!  Bah!  You  plan  to  have  me  shot!  Eh! 
Outrageous!  That  you  may  be  a  bigamist  and 
marry  both  of  these  imbeciles."  She  pointed  at 
Clayton  and  Francisco. 

Tom  Clayton  laughed,  he  could  not  help  it, 
though  he  realized  that  it  would  be  well  to  gain 
Maria's  friendship. 

"  By  all  the  Saints,"  said  Maria,  "  if  I  am  shot, 
he—"  she  pointed  at  Clayton,  "  shall  be  shot  also, 
and  that  will  hurt  you,  Senorita  Inez!" 

"  Ah !  I  will  comfort  you,"  said  Francisco  to 
Inez. 


"Maria,  exasperated  beyond  endurance,  took  him  by 
the  hair  and  shook  him." 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  251 

"  Eh !  You  infamous  traitor !  "  said  Maria. 
"  Do  you  think  you  will  escape?  Ah,  Jesu !  But 
I  can  tell  a  thing  or  two  about  you,  I  can  imagine 
much — bah!  It  will  go  hard  if  I  do  not  have  a 
trial  as  well  as  Inez  and  if  I  do — eh!  Master 
Francisco,  you  will  find  yourself  in  hot  water ! " 

She  meant  business,  and  Francisco  saw  that 
she  was  really  dangerous. 

"  Now,  now,  be  reasonable,"  he  said.  "  Car- 
ramba,  just  because  you  are  going  to  be  shot,  why 
should  you  involve  me?  I  can't  marry  a  ghost, 
can  I — even  such  a  sweet  little  ghost  as  you  will 
make." 

"  Ah — h !  "  hissed  Maria,  making  a  face  at 
Francisco. 

Francisco  airily  snapped  his  fingers. 

"  Don't  begin  gibbering  at  me  now,"  he  said. 
As  he  spoke,  Maria,  exasperated  beyond  endur- 
ance, took  him  by  the  hair  and  shook  him. 

"  Ho !  Guards !  Romero !  Take  her  away !  " 
shouted  Francisco,  as  his  military  cloak  dropped 
from  his  shoulders,  the  flower  in  his  buttonhole 
shed  its  petals  and  his  laced  hat  left  his  hand. 

In  a  moment,  the  iron  door  at  the  foot  of  the 


252    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

tower  opened  and  Romero  and  some  guards 
entered. 

"  The  devil!  "  muttered  Clayton.  "  I  am  glad 
I  have  not  said  much." 

"  Take  her  away !  "  sputtered  Francisco.  Judge 
Clayton  was  right.  Maria  is  the  spy !  Eh !  Car- 
ramba !  She  is  a  terrible  person !  " 

In  a  moment  more,  the  guards  had  borne  Maria 
away,  leaving  Tom  Clayton  almost  hysterical 
from  laughter.  Never,  never,  could  he  under- 
stand these  people,  who  quarreled  like  children, 
loved  and  hated  in  a  breath,  were  loyal  and 
treacherous,  fought  like  devils,  dissolved  to  tears 
at  a  sentiment  and  assassinated,  murdered  and 
executed — it  was  all  one — with  no  more  compunc- 
tion than  he  would  use  in  killing  a  mosquito. 

"  Ah !  Senor,"  said  Francisco.  "  One  must 
defend  oneself — but  you  would  bid  this  one  fare- 
well," he  indicated  Inez.  "  Do  so — I  will  com- 
pose some  blank  verse !  " 

He  turned  and  ascended  the  stairs  leading  to 
the  gallery.  On  the  topmost  stair,  he  seated  him- 
self, his  whole  action  seeming  to  express  a  deli- 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  253 

cate  desire  on  his  part  to  leave  Inez  and  Tom  to 
themselves. 

Tom  beckoned  to  Inez  and  she  followed  him 
to  the  open  arches.  He  was  silent  for  a  moment, 
looking  across  the  beautiful  Vega  to  the  moun- 
tains. 

"  Curse  II  Liberator !  "  he  growled.  "  Why 
isn't  he  here?  " 

"  Ah,  Jesu !  If  we  could  but  signal  him !  "  said 
Inez.  "  It  is  here  the  lights  should  burn,  all  is 
ready,  the  people  will  rise  if  only  we  can  burn  the 
lights  and  he  answers  them." 

She  rested  her  cheek,  for  a  moment,  on  Tom's 
coat-sleeve. 

"  Confess,  senor !  "  she  whispered.  "  Tell  them 
the  truth — that  I  am  the  spy.  Eh!  For  God's 
sake,  dear  one,  you  must  not,  shall  not  be  shot! 
Eh !  Tell  them,  then  get  away,  go  to  the  moun- 
tains. Tell  II  Liberator  what  has  happened." 

"  If  I  confess,  I  shall  be  under  parole,"  said 
Tom,  "  and  you  would  be  shot  in  five  minutes. 
If  a  woman  must  be  sacrificed  to  please  the  Vice 
Roy,  let  it  be  that  vixen  Maria.  I  won't  confess, 
that's  flat!" 


254    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

He  bent  and  kissed  her  as  he  spoke. 

"  But  if  Maria  is  shot,  you  will  be  shot,"  said 
Inez.  "  Eh !  Jesu !  Shall  she  be  your  spirit 
companion,  your  angel  friend  and  wander  alone 
with  you  in — in  Paradise?  Eh!  Never!"  She 
half-laughed  as  she  spoke,  but  the  tears  were 
just  behind.  "  Eh !  Perdition !  If  you  will  not 
confess,  I  will  confess.  She  shall  not  die  with 
you — I  will  die  with  you !  " 

As  she  spoke,  she  rested  her  hand,  for  an  in- 
stant, on  an  iron  bar  that  served  for  a  railing 
behind  the  arches.  It  seemed  to  crumble  at  her 
touch  and  fell  to  the  ground  sixty  feet  below. 

"  What  a  rotten  old  place  this  is,"  said  Tom. 
"  If  it  were  not  for  the  guards " 

He  paused.  The  light  of  a  great  idea  flashed 
into  Inez's  face. 

"  Francisco !  Francisco ! "  she  called.  "  How 
does  one  get  out  of  here?  Eh!  Francisco!  We 
would  be  still  more  alone  and  afterward,  I  would 
pass  the  sentinels." 

"  Eh !  Pardon !  "  said  Francisco.  "  I  was 
absorbed  in  putting  your  supposed  conversation 
with  Senor  Clayton  in  blank  verse  to  present  to 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  255 

the  Vice  Roy.  As  a  work  of  imagination,  'tis  a 
masterpiece.  I  have  called  it  '  The  appeal  of 
Innocence  to  Crime.'  You  are  '  Crime '  senor. 
you  will  pardon  the  appelative — shall  I  read  it?  " 

"  Eh !  Francisco !  "  said  Inez,  "  read  it  to  me, 
alone,  in  a  few  moments,  but  now — eh,  you  under- 
stand— see,  we  have  not  much  time,  it  is  nearly 
sunset.  But  how  shall  I  find  you?  " 

"  Eh !     Knock  at  the  door  and  cry  l  Spain,' ' 
said  Francisco.     "  Like  this,"  he  knocked  at  the 
door  at  the  end  of  the  gallery.     It  opened,  a 
sentinel  appeared. 

"  Spain !  "  said  Francisco.  The  sentinel  did 
not  stir. 

"  Spain !  "  Again  Francisco  called  the  word, 
this  time  more  loudly.  "  You  blockhead,  don't 
jab  me  with  that  bayonet,  the  word  is  '  Spain  ' !  " 

The  sentinel  saluted.  Francisco  passed 
through  the  door  which  closed  behind  him. 


256    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

HOW  THE  SPOKEN  WORD  LAUGHS  AT  LOCKSMITHS 
AND  SENTINELS. 

"THE  word!  The  word!"  said  Inez.  "Go! 
Go!" 

Tom  caught  her  meaning. 

"  I  should  be  recognized — won't  work !  "  he 
answered. 

As  he  spoke,  the  sun  seemed  to  dive,  suddenly, 
below  the  mountains,  leaving  only  a  faint  glow 
on  the  topmost  peaks,  that  was  faintly  reflected 
in  the  room. 

"Here!  Quickly!"  said  Inez,  snatching  up 
Francisco's  cloak  and  hat  from  where  he  had 
dropped  them  when  shaken  by  Maria.  She  put 
the  cloak  about  Clayton,  the  hat  on  his  head, 
standing  on  tiptoe  to  do  so. 

"  Try  it,  for  the  love  of  heaven ! "  she  said. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  257 

"  It  is  dark !  There  is  a  chance !  Tell  II  Libera- 
tor!" 

Tom  thought  a  moment.  To  stay,  meant  cer- 
tain death  for  one  of  them,  perhaps  for  both,  for 
he  would  not  confess  and  accept  the  Vice  Roy's 
terms.  To  go,  probably  meant  being  shot  by  the 
first  sentinel,  but  he  would  risk  it.  Folding 
Inez  in  his  arms,  he  kissed  her,  then  crossed  the 
room  to  the  iron  door  at  the  foot  of  the  tower, 
while  Inez  silently  prayed.  The  door,  of  course 
was  fastened.  Tom  shook  it  violently.  Komero 
appeared  beyond  the  grating.  Despite  his 
promotion,  he  was  still  in  charge  of  the  prison 
and  had  come  there  at  the  close  of  the  council, 
at  the  request  of  the  Vice  Roy,  to  make  sure  of 
the  guards,  for  the  Vice  Roy,  perhaps  with  rea- 
son, suspected  everybody. 

"Ha!  Francisco!"  said  he.  "Will  the 
Yankee  confess?  " 

He  thought  he  was  addressing  Francisco. 
Slowly  he  unbolted  the  door. 

"  The  word,  SeSor,  as  a  matter  of  form ! " 

"  Spain !  "  muttered  Tom,  and  dashed  through 
the  door. 


258    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

"  What  a  devil  of  a  hurry ! "  said  Romero. 
Then  he  called  to  the  guards — 

"  Here,  you  rascals,  bring  lights !  " 

He  slowly  came  into  the  room,  groping  his  way, 
for  it  was  quite  dark ;  even  the  faint  glow  on  the 
mountains  had  disappeared.  Inez,  listening,  as 
she  stood  by  the  table,  at  which  the  Judges  had 
recently  been  seated,  heard  door  after  door  of 
the  prison  clang  and  continually,  as  they  did 
so,  growing  fainter  in  the  distance,  the  word 
"  Spain." 

Two  soldiers  entered  with  candles.  Romero 
perceived  Inez.  He  also  noticed  that  there  was 
no  one  else  in  the  room. 

"  Ha !  "  he  said.  "  So  you  are  still  here ! 
Humph !  Your  acquittal  was  a  farce !" 

He  approached  the  table,  glancing  around  the 
room. 

"  But  where  is  the  Yankee?  " 

Inez  silently  pointed  to  the  door  at  the  head 
of  the  stairs. 

"  Ah !  "  said  Romero,  petulantly.  "  With  the 
Vice  Roy!  Ah!  I  see — he  confessed  and  in- 
criminated you !  But  why  wasn't  I  called?  " 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  259 

Romero  carried  under  his  arm,  a  bundle.  He 
placed  it  on  the  table  and  then  came  nearer  the 
girl.  She  did  not  like  the  expression  of  his  face 
and  moved  aside. 

"  I  was  your  slave  once,"  said  Romero. 

"  Why  remind  me? "  said  Inez  indifferently. 
"What  is  that?" 

She  pointed  at  the  bundle  he  had  placed  on 
the  table. 

"  Colored  lights,"  said  Romero  shortly.  "  Red 
fire — it  will  be  burnt  to  show  the  city  that  the 
trial  is  ended  when  it  is,  and  that  some  one  is  to 
die!" 

At  the  words,  "  colored  lights,"  the  girl's  face 
took  on  a  look  of  eagerness. 

"  Eh !  You  haven't  long  to  live,  little  mis- 
tress," continued  Romero. 

"  It  begins  to  seem  long,"  said  Inez,  shrugging 
her  shoulders. 

"  It  wouldn't  hurt  you  to  be  good  to  Romero. 
Captain — ha!  I  am  Judge  Advocate!  I  am  as 
good  as  you  now — better !  Here — roll  me  a  cig- 
arette ! " 

He   insolently   held   out   his   tobacco   pouch, 


26o    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

almost  thrusting  it  in  her  face.  She  struck  his 
hand  aside — the  tobacco  fell  to  the  ground. 

"  Pick  up  that  tobacco !  "  he  growled.  "  Pick 
up  that " 

In  the  face  of  the  calm  scorn  of  the  girl's  atti- 
tude, he  could  not  control  his  voice,  it  sounded 
weak,  faltering,  uncertain. 

"  Pah!    Why  can  I  not  say  it  as  you  would?  " 

He  bent  and  gathered  the  tobacco  together, 
then  seemed  to  determine  to  assert  himself. 

"  Bah !  I  will  be  Colonel,  General  Romero — 
Dictator ! " 

He  seated  himself  and  frowned  fiercely. 

"Will  it  please  your  excellency,  said  Inez  to 
stop  smoking;  it  is  close  in  here?" 

Romero  hesitatingly  took  the  cigarette  from 
his  mouth. 

"  At  once !  "    She  stamped  her  foot. 

Romero  threw  away  the  cigarette. 

"  Now  take  off  your  cap !  " 

Romero  did  so,  then  looked  at  her  stupidly  and 
clenched  his  hands. 

"  Bah !     You   corpse — in   an   hour,   that   red 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  261 

flare,"  he  pointed  to  the  light  on  table,  "  will 
tell  the  city  of  your  condemnation." 

"Give  it  to  me!"  She  spoke  sharply. 

Romero  handed  it  to  her  sulkily.  She  was  very 
pale — her  eyes  glittered.  She  spoke  to  the  negro 
in  a  hollow  tone  of  voice.  "  In  an  hour,  Romero 
— I  may  be  a  corpse  and  if  I  am,  I  shall  walk  be- 
hind you,  Romero,  everywhere  that  you  walk. 
You  cannot  see  me  by  turning  round,  for  I  shall 
always  be  behind  your  back ! " 

Romero  shuddered  and  drew  back.  He  was 
saturated  with  superstition,  superstition  in- 
stilled by  many  a  wild  tale,  that  had  been  told 
in  his  boyhood  among  the  slaves.  As  he  cowered 
away,  Inez,  keeping  her  eyes  fixed  on  him  as  on 
a  wild  beast,  seized  one  of  the  candles  that 
sputtered  and  flickered  in  their  holdings  and 
approached  it  to  the  end  of  the  colored  light.  As 
she  did  so,  she  continued  talking,  her  tone  se- 
pulchral, her  step  slow  and  measured,  as  she  ad- 
vanced toward  the  archways. 

"  You  shall  not  see  me  by  turning  round,  Ro- 
mero, for  I  shall  always  be  behind  your  back,  a 
corpse,  Romero!  A  corpse-light  on  my  fingers, 


262    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

my  clothes  red  from  gunshot  wounds,  and  the 
drops  of  blood  will  drip,  drip,  Romero,  night 
after  night,  beside  your  bed ! " 

As  she  reached  the  last  word,  the  red  light 
flared  up  in  the  darkness  of  the  arch,  the  negro 
gave  a  gurgle  of  horror.  The  next  moment,  he 
leaped  toward  her,  his  face  blazing  with  anger, 
the  spell  broken,  for,  far  out  over  the  Vega,  in 
answer  to  the  blaze,  appeared  in  the  distance,  a 
rocket  and  then  another. 

"  Curse  you !  "  he  screamed.  "  There  was  a 
reason  for  that !  " 

Before  he  quite  reached  her,  however,  he 
stopped.  His  mouth  opened  in  wonder  for  there 
sounded  through  the  door,  at  the  head  of  the 
stairs,  the  well-known  voice  of  Francisco,  speak- 
ing to  some  lady. 

"  Eh !     Carramba !     I  kiss  your  feet ! " 

In  a  moment,  Romero  understood  the  escape 
of  Clayton. 

"  Thunder  of  hell !  "  he  exclaimed.  "  Francisco 
there — when  he  went  out  here?  Was  it  the 
Yankee  who  went  out — I  will  throttle  you !  " 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  263 

Again  he  sprang  toward  her,  murder  in  his 
look. 

"Who  is  captain  of  the  prison  guard?"  said 
Inez. 

Romero  stopped,  as  though  suddenly  frozen. 
The  captain  of  the  guard  must  answer  with  his 
life,  it  was  the  rule,  for  the  escape  of  a  prisoner. 


264    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 


CHAPTER    IX. 

THE  CONCLUSION. 

"  MAKE  way !  Make  way !  The  Vice  Roy  of 
the  King !  "  shouted  the  heralds.  It  was  the  Vice 
Roy  and  the  spectators  returning  to  continue  the 
trial.  Romero  shrank  back  into  a  corner.  Inez, 
quick  as  lightning  flew  up  the  stairs  to  the  door. 
As  it  opened,  she  was  concealed  behind  it ;  as  the 
people  passed  through,  she  quickly  joined  them, 
so  that  they  thought  she  came  from  the  room  be- 
yond, with  the  others. 

"  Bring  the  prisoner,  Clayton !  "  said  the  Vice 
Roy  to  Romero.  "  Why  is  he  not  here?  " 

"  He  is  in  his  cell,"  said  Romero.  I  will  bring 
him!" 

A  wild  thought  passed  through  his  mind,  that 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  265 

once  out  of  the  room,  he  would  never  return. 
But  his  intention  was  frustrated. 

"  You !  The  Judge  Advocate !  "  said  the  Vice 
Roy.  "  Send  a  sergeant !  "  A  sergeant  left  the 
room. 

"  Is  there  a  priest  here?  "  said  the  Vicr  Roy,  as 
they  waited  for  the  sergeant's  return.  "  The  man 
or  the  woman,  perhaps  both,  will  soon  need  him." 

A  priest  advanced  from  the  crowd.  Again  the 
Vice  Roy  spoke. 

"And  Senorita  Maria?  She  is  not  here! 
Doubtless  she  is  in  a  cell.  Bring  her !  " 

The  sergeant  returned. 

"  Senor  Clayton  is  not  in  the  prison,  but  I 
found  the  woman — she  is  here !  " 

Two  guards,  as  he  spoke,  entered  with  Maria. 

"  Hell's  flames !  "  shouted  the  Vice  Roy,  beside 
himself  with  anger.  "Has  he  escaped?  Are  you 
all  traitors?  What  does  this  mean,  Romero? 
You  are  responsible !  " 

"  For  the  love  of  God,"  said  Romero.  "  I  was 
tricked — deceived !  " 

"  Eh !  I  see,"  said  the  Vice  Roy.  "  You,  who 
were  so  eager  to  convict  Inez  to  acquit  this  one — " 


266    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

he  pointed  to  Maria.  "  And  you  had  that  paper 
at  the  Patio.  You  refused  to  sell  it  for  a  thou- 
sand pesatas;  Judge  Clayton  took  it  from  you; 
Inez  got  it  from  him.  That  paper  alone  has  made 
me  doubt.  Carramba !  You  and  Senorita  Maria 
shall  be  shot  together!  Eh!  It  is  plain — you 
stayed  here  in  the  prison;  you  suggested  over- 
hearing the  interview;  you  managed  his  escape; 
you  burnt  a  red  flare  after  he  went!  I  saw  it 
from  the  garden;  I  saw  the  rocket  answering 
from  the  mountain!  It  is  why  we  came  so 
quickly — had  we  not  so  returned,  you  would  have 
escaped  also !  God  in  heaven,  what  does  it  all 
mean?  " 

The  Vice  Roy  was  almost  a  maniac.  This  was 
not  the  first  time  he  had  discovered,  or  thought  he 
had  discovered,  trickery  in  his  household.  More- 
over, Judge  Clayton  had  been  talking  the  evi- 
dence over  with  him,  during  the  afternoon  and 
presenting  fact  after  fact  to  strengthen  the  Vice 
Roy  in  the  idea  that  Inez  was  innocent,  and  had 
pointed  out,  among  other  things,  the  circum- 
stance that  from  Romero  he  had  obtained  the  list 
which  he  gave  to  Inez. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  267 

The  Judge's  intention  had  been  to  confuse  the 
evidence  against  Tom  and  Inez,  for  he  suspected 
that  Tom  could  not  confess  without  implicating 
her  and  this  he  knew  his  nephew  would  refuse  to 
do. 

"  Enough  of  trials,"  continued  the  Vice  Roy. 
"  Seize  them  both !  Place  them  against  the 
tower — shoot  them  as  they  stand,  here,  now !  " 

The  soldiers  seized  Romero  and  Maria,  bound 
their  arms  and  placed  them  with  their  backs  to 
the  wall. 

"  Eh !  Stop !  "  cried  Inez.  "  You  surely  will 
not  shoot  them  here — now !  Will  you  not  wait — 
wait  till  morning?  Burn  the  red  flare  to  inform 
the  city !  "  For  she  was  anxious  that  the  second 
signal  that  meant  the  whereabouts  of  the  Vice 
Roy,  should  be  burnt  and  hoped,  by  the  delay, 
that  the  lives  of  Maria  and  Romero  would  be 
saved. 

"  To-morrow  is  soon  enough !  They  will  be 
dead  long  enough !  Eh !  Wait !  You  have  learnt 
nothing — is  not  Maria  to  have  the  opportunity  to 
confess?" 

But  the  Vice  Roy  would  have  none  of  it.    While 


268    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

he  suspected  Inez,  no  Roman  could  be  sterner  to- 
ward her.  Convinced  as  he  now  was  that  she 
was  innocent,  no  Roman  could  be  more  impla- 
cable in  hunting  down  her  accusers. 

"  Eh !  My  girl — "  he  said,  his  face  working 
strangely,  "  Eh !  Sefiors — "  he  made  a  gesture 
toward  his  officers,  "  Eh !  Look  at  her ! "  He 
pointed  to  Inez.  "  I  am  not  ashamed  of  her.  Eh ! 
I  shall  speak  plainly — she  is  my  granddaughter 
— and  pah!  They  accused  her  and  are  traitors! 
I  shall  do  my  duty !  " 

His  granddaughter!  Inez  felt  the  room  whirl- 
ing about  her.  Why  had  she  not  known?  But  it 
was  too  late  for  any  regrets.  She  must  not  let 
him,  through  her,  make  a  mistake. 

"  You  shall  do  your  duty,"  she  said.  "  And  you 
shall  not  shoot  them  for  me !  They  are  innocent ! 
I  am  guilty !  " 

She  swept  them  a  courtesy  and  stood  facing 
the  Vice  Roy.  The  Vice  Roy  looked  at  her  as 
though  he  were  turned  to  marble.  Then  his  old 
grim,  official  expression  settled  upon  his  features 
like  a  mask. 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  269 

"  Eh !  I  will  do  my  duty !  Put  her  also 
against  the  wall !  Shoot  her ! " 

But  all  Judge  Clayton's  chivalry  was  aroused. 
Envoy  or  not,  any  of  his  business  or  not,  he 
would  protest. 

"  By  God,  you  shall  not  shoot  her.  Your  own 
Judges,  on  the  evidence,  declared  her  innocent! 
She  is  out  of  her  head !  She  is  deranged !  What 
wonder?  You  have  reprieved  others — reprieve 
her!  Take  time — look  into  the  matter!  " 

"  Eh !  Yes — yes !  "  The  Vice  Roy  seemed  a 
broken  old  man,  the  grim  look  changed  to  one 
of  weakness.  "  Eh !  Yes,  I  have  a  chance.  I  can 
do  with  you  as  with  others  and  obey  the  law. 
Confess,  Inez,  confess!  Tell  what  you  know  of 
all  this.  What  that  list  was — whose  the  names 
upon  it — what  this  all  means!  All  about  SeSor 
Clayton,  and  you  shall  be  reprieved.  Eh!  The 
king  will  pardon  if  you  do.  He  does  not  know 
now  your  father's  name.  I  concealed  it  to  save 
your  fortune,  I  can  still  conceal  it  to  save  your 
life!" 

He  was  fairly  babbling.    The  audience  did  not 


270    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL 

know  him,  but  in  a  moment  again,  came  a  change. 
He  was  his  old,  severe,  grim  self  again. 

"Bah!  I  am  myself!"  he  exclaimed.  "If 
you  refuse,  I  myself  will  light  this  red  flare  and 
when  I  do,"  his  face  flickered  for  an  instant,  "  ha ! 
I  am  Spanish  Vice  Roy — when  I  do,  shoot  her  as 
she  stands ! " 

"  Confess !  "  said  Inez. 

She  was  standing  now  with  her  back  against 
the  wall,  from  which  Maria,  who  had  fainted  in 
the  revulsion  of  feeling,  had  been  removed. 

"  I  will  confess,  but  I  will  not  confess !  The 
soldiers  of  the  Liberator's  army  will  soon  be  here. 
They  have  threaded  the  jungle,  climbed  the  moun- 
tains, descended  to  the  plains.  I  told  them  how. 
They  will  enter  the  city,  I  told  them  where,  not 
once,  but  many  times — by  a  bunch  of  flowers  car- 
ried by  a  peon;  by  a  song  taught  a  wandering 
beggar ;  by  notes  flung  from  my  window ;  by  mes- 
sages innumerable,  and  I,  alone,  did  this  and  not 
for  myself,  but  for  the  murdered  men,  the  tor- 
tured women,  the  little  children!  Soldiers  and 
Senors  and  Sefioritas — "  she  swept  a  courtesy — 


"The  Castles  and  the  Lions  have  had  their  day  ;  it  is  time 
for  the  seven  stars  !  " 


AND  THE  VICEROY.  271 

"  my  friends  and  my  enemies,  I  did  this,  not  for 
myself,  but  for  you  and  your  children,  and  this 
I  will  confess,  but  I  will  not  confess  anything  of 
when  they  will  come  or  how.  Nor  will  I  confess 
the  name  of  one  friend  of  the  Revolution,  no,  not 
one!  Torture  me!  I  know  your  ways!  I  shall 
be  the  last  one  tortured!  Shoot  me!  I  shall  be 
the  last  one  shot !  The  Castles  and  the  Lions  have 
had  their  day ;  it  is  time  for  the  seven  stars !  " 

They  stood  listening,  wondering,  compelled  by 
her  voice  and  manner. 

"  Shoot ! "  said  the  Vice  Roy,  and  he  lit  the 
flare.  Men  and  women  sank  to  their  knees  and 
began  to  pray. 

"  Shoot !  "  again  cried  the  Vice  Roy. 

The  soldiers  hesitatingly  raised  their  muskets. 
There  was  a  wild  roar  of  voices  outside  the 
prison. 

"  Hold !  "  cried  a  voice  that  rang  like  a  bugle. 

The  muskets  of  the  soldiers  were  lowered. 
Senoritas,  senors,  officers,  prisoners,  all  turned, 
startled,  toward  the  archway.  In  it  stood  a 
slight  graceful  figure  in  a  long  cloak ;  behind  him, 
Tom  Clayton,  swarming  about  them,  rough  look- 


272    THE  LIEUTENANT,  THE  GIRL. 

ing  men,  carrying  muskets.  A  terrible  cry  rang 
through  the  room.  It  came  from  the  Vice  Roy. 
"  My  son !  Her  father !  II  Renegade !  II  Lib- 
erator! God  knows — thank  God  you  have  come 
in  time  to  save  me  from  my  duty — to  save  her ! 


"  And  *  II  Liberator '  was  the  Vice  Roy's  son ! 
And  Tom  had  hurried  him  to  the  city  and  after- 
ward married  Inez!  And  Judge  Clayton,  and 
Maria,  and  Francisco,  and  Romero,  and  why — 
and  why " 

"  Eh !  Seuor  Mariana !  Manana !  I  am  tired 
— it  is  an  old  story  and  I  have  talked  long,  and  it 
all  happened  here  long  ago,  under  the  Castles  and 
the  Lions  of  Spain !  Eh !  Jesu !  I  remember,  you 
yourself  are  from  Kentucky!  Eh!  You  would 
know!  Bah!  I  have  talked  long  enough,  I  am 
not  used  to  telling  stories.  Eh!  Carramba! 
'Tis  history !  And  you  are  from  Kentucky !  Eh ! 
Marvelous ! " 

THE  END. 


THE      ROMANCE      OF      A      POET 

HIGHLAND 
MARY 

By 
CLAYTON  MACKENZIE   LEGGE 

The  Sweetest  Story  Ever  Told 
Re-Told  in  a  New  Way 


A  novel  of  more  than  ordinary  interest, 
portraying  many  important  characters 
and  telling  for  the  first  time  in  fiction 
the  sweet  love  story  of  "Bobby  Burns" 
and  Highland  Mary. 


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999  The  Belle 
of  the  Blueprass 

J  o 

Country  9  *  9 

By  H.  D.  PITTMAN 

41,  This  is  a  bit  of  real  literature  that  should  be  in 
every  library.  It  is  a  story  of  strong  heart-interest 
with  scenes  laid  in  the  picturesque  state  of  Kentucky. 
It  depicts,  as  no  previous  novel  does,  people  and  places 
in  the  famous  "Blue  Grass"  state  soon  after  the  close 
of  the  Civil  war.  The  "Belle"  is  one  of  the  sweet- 
est, most  lovable  characters  in  modern  fiction,  and  her 
little  love  story  cannot  but  interest  everyone.  The 
reader  fairly  scents  the  waving  grass,  the  fragrant  flowers 
of  old  Kentucky. 


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with  Photogravure  and  Frontispiece  in  Colon 


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.-.  AN  ANSWER  TO  "THE  LEOPARD'S  SPOTS"    .-. 


YARB 


CRETINE 


By 

DR.    GEORGE   B.   H.   SWAYZE 

A  Story  of   the   NeversrEnding 
Southern  Problem  of  the  Races 

HERE  is  action  in  this  book  from  the  very  first 
line  until  the  last ;  there  is  also  a  deep,  gen- 
uine heart  interest,  but  greater  than  either 
ot  these  is  an  able  treatise  on  the  greatest  of 
all  modern  problems — the  black  man.  Dr. 
Swayze  takes  a  diametrically  opposite  view  of  the  question 
from  that  of  Rev.  Thomas  Dixon  in  "The  Leopard's  Spots." 
It  is  interesting  to  compare  the  books  of  these  two  men,  the 
one  a  clergyman  the  other  a  physician.  It  would  be  quite 
natural  to  expect  that  the  man  of  God  would  take  a  somewhat 
more  gentle,  more  lenient  view  of  the  question  than  would  the 
man  of  medicine,  but  the  readers  of  *<YARB  AND  CRETINE" 
assert  that  quite  to  the  contrary  Dr.  Swayze  has  written 
with  a  sympathy  and  toleration  which  was  totally  lacking  in 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Dixon's  book. 

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Maid 


FREDERICK 

of  the  A. 


Mohawk 


A    ROMANCE    OF    THE    MOHAWK    VALLEY 
IN    THE    DAYS    OF    THE    REVOLUTION 

C.  The  picturesque  valley  of  the  Mohawk 
River  —  one  of  the  tributary  streams  of  the 
mighty  Hudson  —  was  the  theatre  of  some 
of  the  most  exciting  incidents  of  the  Ameri- 
can Revolution. 

4L  It  was  settled  by  a  mixture  of  Dutch, 
English  and  Irish  and  was  the  very  border 
land  of  the  Briton's  most  terrible  ally — the 
Indian. 

C.  In  this  fruitful  region  Mr.  Ray  has  loca- 
ted the  principal  scenes  of  his  romance  and 
the  only  wonder  is  that  no  one  has  done  it 
before  him- 

C.  All  of  the  characters  are  actively  con- 
cerned in  the  Revolutionary  War  and  many 
of  them  are  historical  personages,  among 
whom  might  be  mentioned  :  General  Wash- 
ington, Major  Andre,  Benedict  Arnold,  Sir 
Henry  Clinton,  James  Riverton  and  many 
others.  Whatever  they  do  in  the  story  is  in 
perfect  harmony  with  history. 

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A         STORY         FOR         BOYS 

SIGNAL 
LIGHTS 

—  BY  — 

LOUISE   M.   HOPKINS 

Q  A  Frontier  Story  of  the  good,  old  fashioned  sort. 

Q  The  plot    starts  with   a  whoop,  and   fairly  races  to 
the  last  chapter. 

ITS  THE  SORT  OF  BOOK  A  BOY  WILL  FOR- 
GET HIS  DINNER  TO  READ. 

Q  Its    tone    is   healthy  and    vigorous  —  It    excites    no 
morbid  fancies — it  will  do  the  boy  good  to  read  it. 

4^  The  story  is  full  of  characters  that 
have  good,  red  blood  in  them.  The 
hero,  Newton  Bolt,  is  just  the  sort  of 
boy  you  would  like  your  own  to  be. 

fully  llluttrated — Handsomely  Bound  in  Cloth 

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A 

WILDERNESS 
CRY 

By 
GEORGE    EDWARD  DAY 

A  Story  With  a  Strong  Moral  Lesson 


A  Book  That  Every  Young  flan 
and  Woman  Should  Read  .  »     . 


HE  greatest  sacrifice  that  a  woman  can  make  is 
to  give  up  the  man  she  loves  when  she  be- 
lieves it  to  be  her  duty.  This  is  the  sacrifice 
which  is  made  by  the  heroine  of  "  A  Wilder- 
ness Cry."  More  than  that,  she  is  the  wife  of  the  man 
whom  she  denounces.  For  the  man  it  is  a  harvest  of  his  wild 
oats.  The  book  ends  happily,  however.  It  is  a  story  of 
modern  times. 

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